Evaluation rules insanity plea out

Oregon man charged in shooting

5/18/2011

An Oregon man charged with shooting at police officers did not meet the criteria for a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity, according to a psychological evaluation revealed Wednesday by a Lucas County Common Pleas Court judge.

Jeffery Belew, 24, is charged with two counts each of attempted aggravated murder and felonious assault, each with gun specifications, as well as specifications that involve shooting at a police officer. He faces up to 27 years in prison.

Judge Linda Jennings noted that an evaluation requested by the defense was completed on May 12. She granted a request by the defense to set another hearing date in a week.

Attorney Don Cameron said he would like to consult with another psychologist before deciding how to proceed. Judge Jennings set a Wednesday pretrial hearing.

Oregon police were called to Piccadilly East Apartments, 2750 Pickle Rd., just after 5 a.m. April 10 on a report that two men, Mr. Belew and his brother, were fighting. When the first police officer arrived, he saw a man walking in the parking lot.

Police, who identified that man as Mr. Belew, said he raised a handgun and shot at least four times at an officer in a patrol vehicle. A second officer, arriving as backup, fired three shots at Mr. Belew, striking him once in the upper right torso area.