NORWICH – A man charged with multiple violent felonies for his role in a drug shoot-out that left another man dead appeared in court Monday to affirm his desire to seek a jury trial.
James F. Bush, 46, Burdick Medbury Road, Town of Norwich, has pleaded not guilty to a number of violent felonies against him and told the court Monday that he wants a jury of his peers to decide the case.
“It is my understanding that the defendant, Mr. Bush, has denied a plea arrangement for five years in state prison, against the advice of counsel, and is seeking trial,” District Attorney Joseph McBride said Monday, after the defense and prosecution attempted a last-ditch effort to broker a deal.
Bush is accused of 11 felonies and two misdemeanors for his role in an attempted robbery of a local drug dealer, which ultimately led to a shotgun battle and the death of his alleged co-conspirator, Joshua D. Richheimer of Pittsfield, on July 24, 2007.
“You do understand, sir, that you could be potentially facing a very long time in prison?” asked Supreme Court Justice Kevin M. Dowd, to which Bush responded, “Yes sir.”
Although Bush is not accused of directly taking part in the shoot-out, he is being charged as an accomplice for allegedly driving an armed Richheimer to the victim’s residence with an intent and knowledge to commit several crimes.
Investigators say Bush drove Richheimer on his motorcycle to the home of Robert Reynolds on Pleasant Valley Road in the Town of Sherburne in order to rob the known drug dealer at gunpoint.
Bush has been charged in concert with all the potential felonies that might have faced his deceased co-conspirator, Richheimer.
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