UPDATE: Former Seaholm Student Appears in Circuit Court, Pretrial Set for July 27

A pretrial examination was set for Courtney Thomas, the former student , when he was arraigned Wednesday in Oakland County Circuit Court.

Judge James Alexander granted attorney Elbert Hatchett's request for a four-week information gathering period before a pretrial hearing set for July 27. 

Hatchett, who replaced Wendy Barnwell as Thomas’ counsel after the case was passed from the District Court on June 14, said he plans to use the four weeks to  familiarize himself with the case. He said he and the prosecution will discuss the options and consider potential dispositions short of trial.

Oakland County Assistant Prosecutor Brett Chudler said he had no issue with the pretrial hearing.

Thomas was charged after . The graffiti was the first in a string of racist incidents at the high school, including more graffiti and racist notes delivered to African-American students and a teacher. Birmingham spokeswoman Marcia Wilkinson said the schools still have no leads or suspects in those cases.

If convicted, Thomas faces up to two years in prison or a $5,000 fine. . After receiving a continuance of the pre-exam period May 24, Thomas waived his preliminary hearing June 14, sending the case straight to Circuit Court.

Thomas, a senior at Seaholm when the incident occurred, graduated but was barred from participating in commencement activities June 5. He is free on personal bond with a 7 p.m. curfew and a stipulation to stay away from Seaholm and the four students targeted in the graffiti.

Note: This story has been updated to reflect the changed date for the pretrial. The date was moved from July 15 to July 27.