APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A man who allegedly fired shots in the air and held police at bay at a church is competent to stand trial, a judge ruled Monday.
James Cooper, 33, faces four counts, including first-degree recklessly endangering safety for the May 19 incident. He has pleaded not guilty and not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect. No trial date has been set.
The competency ruling means Cooper understands the court proceedings and can assist in his own defense.
Defense attorney Robert Welygan requested a bond hearing to set a treatment plan for Cooper’s depression and PTSD issues. A Sept. 8 hearing was set on those issues.
According to the criminal complaint, police responded to St. Bernadette Parish on May 19 for man who climbed on to a roof, and fired a shot. After more than an hour and a half, Cooper agreed to come off the roof.
At the jail, Cooper “advised he would fight, injure and possibly kill anyone he could in order to not be placed at either a hospital or institution,” the complaint states.
Cooper told police he went to Iris Place to help him cope with the anniversary of his mother’s suicide, but eventually argued with a staff member. He then got a weapon and brought it there.
Iris Place is a counseling center on the church campus, but is not operated by the church.
“James stated he fired because he wanted law enforcement to respond as he wanted people to understand his story and what he was going through,” the complaint states. “James stated he had not wanted to hurt anyone.”
No one was injured.
Comments