The trial of an Ashley man who is accused of shooting his former wife’s boyfriend has been delayed.
Christopher Robin Sidders, 42, of Ashley, will now stand trial on July 25 in Delaware County Common Pleas Court.
Earlier this month, Sidders’ attorney, Thomas Waldeck, asked for a continuance so he could have more time to review evidence. Delaware County Common Pleas Judge Everett Krueger granted the motion on June 8 and scheduled the new trial for July 25.
Sidders entered a not-guilty plea to a charge of attempted murder, which is a first-degree felony; two charges of felonious assault, second-degree felonies; and two counts of having weapons while under disability, third-degree felonies, at an arraignment in April, where his trial was scheduled for Monday, June 20.
Sidders was still in the Delaware County Jail Wednesday.
At the arraignment in April, assistant county prosecutor Mark Sleeper said doctors are optimistic that the shooting victim, Jeffrey Shilt, will make a full recovery.
Sleeper told Krueger at the arraignment that the shooting occurred after Sidders, Shilt and Sidders’ ex-wife, Teresa Rogers, argued on the night of March 22. Sleeper said that Sidders was living at a home at 9 N. Franklin St., Ashley, with Rogers and Shilt. The argument started when Sidders said he hoped that he and Rogers would reconcile. After the argument, Sleeper said Sidders went upstairs to retrieve a handgun and then shot Shilt in the jaw.
Shilt was transported to a Columbus hospital and Sidders was arrested by Delaware County sheriff’s deputies. Sleeper said Sidders confessed to the shooting after his arrest but later asked to speak to detectives and recanted his confession.
Krueger continued Sidders’ $250,000 bond, which was originally set in Delaware Municipal Court, and scheduled the trial date.
Sleeper estimated the jury trial will take four days.
Sleeper said Sidders has an extensive criminal record in Delaware County that includes felony drug-trafficking charges from 1996, and a felony burglary conviction from 2007. Sleeper added that Sidders also has made 25 Delaware Municipal Court appearances, not including traffic offenses.
Common Pleas Judge David Gormley was originally scheduled to preside over the case but the case was transferred to Krueger because Krueger has presided over Sidders’ prior court cases, including his burglary conviction.
The attempted murder and felonious assault charges carry firearm specifications that could add additional prison time to any sentence Sidders receives if he is convicted.
