The Hopkinsville man who was originally charged with attempted murder for a September shooting incident in Christian County has decided to stick with a plea deal he agreed to in November.
Forty-four-year-old Brian Ellis entered an Alford plea November 16 to seven counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, fleeing or evading police, tampering with evidence and trafficking in methamphetamine. The attempted murder charge was dismissed and total sentence equals 15 years.
He later showed up late to final sentencing and was arrested for failing to appear, as court was over for the day. Ellis attempted to withdraw his plea at the following hearing and Paducah attorney Peyton Wilson began representing him.
Ellis has been in jail since his arrest in January and there was dispute over whether his mother has requested to be removed as putting up a surety bond for his release. Ellis claims his mother was only attempting to get his money that she put up as bond back after he was jailed.
Wilson asked Judge John Atkins Wednesday morning for a hearing on bond and for some time prior to final sentencing.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Rick Boling wasn’t sympathetic to Ellis’ request for time to get his affairs in order and noted he’d already be in prison if he’d been on time for final sentencing in December.
Judge Atkins told Wilson to provide an affidavit from Ellis’ mother regarding her intention on bond and to see if there could be a compromise with Boling on pre-sentencing release, but it wouldn’t last long as formal sentencing was scheduled for Wednesday of next week.
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 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.
The drugs were allegedly found in Ellis’ home and vehicle on Wallace Avenue at the time of his arrest.