Proceedings were continued to February for Brian Ellis, the man accused in a September shooting incident that originally had him charged with attempted murder, as he looks to withdraw his Alford plea in the case.
The attempted murder charge had been dropped when he entered the Alford plea—which is a plea in which the defendant maintains his innocence, but acknowledges there is likely enough evidence to result in a conviction had the case gone to trial. Public defender Rick Sanborn told the court that it is Ellis’ intention to withdraw that plea and would therefore need a new attorney.
Circuit Judge John Atkins continued proceedings until February 3, advising Sanborn to contact defense attorney Stephanie Ritchie-Mize, who Ellis wishes to retain, to give her time to decide what her course of action needs to be.
Ellis told the court he presented paperwork to the Christian County Jail that showed he was negative for COVID-19. Ellis had previously entered the Alford plea to charges of seven counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, fleeing or evading police, tampering with evidence and trafficking in methamphetamine.
The Christian County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shots fired call in the 2900 block of Dawson Springs Road on September 1 and soon received a second call of gunfire in the 10000 block of Hart Road that struck a vehicle. Police say Ellis allegedly fired the gunshots from his car into the Dawson Springs Road home and into the vehicle on Hart Road. A man and woman who were in the house and vehicle were not injured in the shootings.