MONROE - A not guilty plea has been entered in Green County Circuit Court on behalf of Luis E. Western, one of three suspects in the apparent robbery of a small grocery store on the Square April 5.
Western, 35, appeared in court Monday without his attorney present. Frank Medina, attorney for Western, was supposed to appear with his client but did not. Attempts to reach Medina by phone during court proceedings also were unsuccessful.
Charges against Western include substantial battery with the intend to cause bodily harm, a Class I felony; two counts of armed battery, both Class C felonies; and false imprisonment, a class H felony.
The other suspect in the robbery case, Luis E. Cruz, 30, is scheduled for arraignment today at 1:45 p.m. District Attorney Gary Luhman asked the court to hold a status hearing for Western at the same time and his request was granted.
Charges against Cruz include substantial battery with the intend to cause bodily harm, a Class I felony; two counts of armed battery, both Class C felonies; theft of moveable property, a Class I felony; and false imprisonment, a Class H felony.
Testimony from the April 28 preliminary hearing of both men said that the two were at the grocery store on April 5 to collect a drug payment, and not to rob the owner.
A third suspect in the case was killed in a crash during a police pursuit near Juda.
Western, 35, appeared in court Monday without his attorney present. Frank Medina, attorney for Western, was supposed to appear with his client but did not. Attempts to reach Medina by phone during court proceedings also were unsuccessful.
Charges against Western include substantial battery with the intend to cause bodily harm, a Class I felony; two counts of armed battery, both Class C felonies; and false imprisonment, a class H felony.
The other suspect in the robbery case, Luis E. Cruz, 30, is scheduled for arraignment today at 1:45 p.m. District Attorney Gary Luhman asked the court to hold a status hearing for Western at the same time and his request was granted.
Charges against Cruz include substantial battery with the intend to cause bodily harm, a Class I felony; two counts of armed battery, both Class C felonies; theft of moveable property, a Class I felony; and false imprisonment, a Class H felony.
Testimony from the April 28 preliminary hearing of both men said that the two were at the grocery store on April 5 to collect a drug payment, and not to rob the owner.
A third suspect in the case was killed in a crash during a police pursuit near Juda.