State District Judge Teresa Drum also ordered that Jeff Doyal
Robertson remain charged with aggravated assault on a public
servant, rebuffing his defense team's hopes of reducing the charge
before the trial begins Feb. 21.

Robertson is accused of shooting Canton football coach Gary Joe
Kinne in his office April 7. Kinne was critically wounded and lost
80 percent of his liver, but returned to coach Canton to its best
season in school history.

Robert Perkins, one of Robertson's attorneys, has acknowledged
his client was the gunman but argued that school employees aren't
recognized as public servants under Texas law.

Aggravated assault carries a sentence of up to 20 years, but the
punishment extends to life in prison if the victim is deemed a
public servant. Prosecutors didn't seek attempted murder because
it's a second-degree felony with a lesser sentence.

Van Zandt County District Attorney Leslie Dixon had sought to
move the trial, saying Canton ISD officials asked for a change of
venue because of the emotional toll court proceedings had on the
high school.

She also said Robertson's status in the community and other
influences could prevent a fair trial but did not elaborate, the
Tyler Morning Telegraph reported in its Wednesday editions.

Robertson remains in the Upshur County Jail on $1.1 million
bond.