The trial of an Ashley man who is accused of shooting his former wife’s boyfriend has been delayed again.
Christopher Robin Sidders, 42, of Ashley, will now stand trial on Sept. 27 in Delaware County Common Pleas Court.
This is the second delay in the case after Sidders’ attorney, Thomas Waldeck, asked for a continuance in June so he could have more time to review evidence. Delaware County Common Pleas Judge Everett Krueger granted the motion and scheduled the new trial for July 22.
However, on July 15 Waldeck asked for another continuance, saying he was pursuing the testimony of Sidders’ psychologist and would need more time. Krueger granted the motion and scheduled the trial for Sept. 27.
Prosecutors estimated the jury trial will take four days.
Waldeck also said Sidders and prosecutors are in the process of plea negotiations but have not come to an agreement yet.
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 first scheduled for June 20.
Sidders was still in the Delaware County Jail Tuesday.
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.
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.
