A trial date was set Friday morning in Christian Circuit Court for Ronald Aldridge, the man charged with first-degree robbery and kidnapping in relation to an incident at the North Main Street Marathon gas station in March.
Defense attorney Eric Bearden informed the court that he remains hopeful a resolution is still possible, but suggested they set a trial date while discussions continue.
Judge John Atkins agreed and set a trial date for May 22 and 23.
As previously reported, Aldridge allegedly entered the North Main Street Marathon gas station on the night of March 17, brandished a handgun and demanded cash from the clerk. After getting the money from the register, he demanded the clerk’s cellphone and left the store.
He then allegedly got into the passenger side of a vehicle parked next to a gas pump and demanded that the driver who was behind the wheel drive him away at gunpoint.
Police say the owner of the vehicle barely got onto North Main before a struggle ensued and the driver and the suspect fell out of the passenger side door, with the gun going off during a fight over the weapon.