Myers going to trial in September on attempted murder charge
An Ozawkie resident charged with attempted second-degree murder in an October shooting incident in Holton will stand trial this September in Jackson County District Court.
During a pre-trial status hearing on Friday afternoon, Topeka attorney Thomas G. Lemon, as defense counsel for Joshua J. Myers, 23, said he would need two days for witness testimony in the trial. As a result, District Court Judge Norbert Marek set a three-day trial beginning Tuesday, Sept. 13, noting that it was possible that the trial could be held earlier.
Myers, who has been charged with attempted intentional second-degree murder in the shooting incident, stood silent and allowed Marek to enter a not guilty plea to the charge during an arraignment hearing in February, it was reported. Myers is currently free on a $250,000 own recognizance bond with the co-signature of his parents and a $50,000 cash or surety bond, and he had also been placed on electronically-monitored house arrest.
The shooting incident reportedly occurred on Oct. 23 of last year, when Myers allegedly fired a handgun at another man standing across the street from him near the intersection of Fifth Street and Arizona Avenue. Myers reportedly fled the scene but was captured by Jackson County sheriff’s officers within half an hour.
During Friday’s hearing, Lemon said he would need “a couple days” to get testimony from “three or four” witnesses, to which Jackson County Attorney Shawna Miller replied that the prosecution was not likely to require as much time presenting its case.
Marek also set a second pre-trial status hearing for Friday, Aug. 26 in district court, with motions for that hearing to be filed by Friday, Aug. 5.
It was reported in February that Marek said the attempted second-degree murder charge against Myers is a level 3 person felony and that if convicted on the charge, Myers could receive a prison sentence ranging from 55 months (four years and seven months) to 247 months (20 years and seven months).
