Myers pleads not guilty to attempted murder charges

An Ozawkie resident charged with attempted second-degree murder in an October shooting incident in Holton pleaded not guilty to the charge in Jackson County District Court on Friday.

Joshua Joseph Myers, 23, stood silent at the advice of Topeka defense attorney Thomas G. Lemon and allowed District Court Judge Norbert Marek to enter a not-guilty plea on the charge of attempted intentional second-degree murder. Myers, who is free on bond, will next appear in court at a March 25 pre-trial motion hearing, Marek said.

The charge against Myers stems from an alleged Oct. 23, 2015, incident in which he reportedly 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.

Marek reminded those present during Myers’ arraignment on Friday that the attempted second-degree murder charge against Myers is a level 3 person felony and that if convicted, Myers could receive a prison sentence ranging from 55 months (four years and seven months) to 247 months (20 years and seven months).