WAYNE COUNTY — The man accused of shooting and critically injuring Richmond Police Officer Seara Burton made his first court appearance Friday.
WRTV was inside the courtroom as Phillip Lee, 47, appeared virtually from his hospital bed and entered a preliminary not guilty plea.
Lee was also appointed an attorney during the 11 minute court appearance. His bail remains at $1.5 million.
Lee told the court he is not currently employed and has no income. When asked when his last job was, he said "it’s been a long time, 2000-something, I don’t know. I really don’t remember.”
Lee now faces a total of three attempted murder charges — one in the shooting of Burton, who remains hospitalized, and two other Richmond officers who were at the scene the night of Aug. 10.
On Wednesday, Richmond Police said Burton remains in critical condition.
"There have been some bright spots since Wednesday, but her condition is still very serious," police shared on Facebook.
Burton and the other officers encountered Lee about 6 p.m. Aug. 10 during a traffic stop in the 200 block of North 12th Street shortly after a narcotics unit believed they saw lee complete a narcotics transaction nearby. Lee was known to police as a drug offender, documents allege.
Burton's K-9 partner Brev sniffed a scooter Lee was driving and indicated the possible presence of narcotics, at which point Lee drew a handgun from his waist and fired at the officers, documents allege.
Newly-released details from the supplemental affidavit allege Lee had his hands in his pockets during the search and officers commanded him several times to show his hands before he drew the gun.
Online court records show Lee's next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 3 and the trail is set for Nov. 1.
RELATED | Most criminal cases in Indiana end in a plea agreement, less than 5 percent of cases end up going to trial | 'He pulled the gun and fired with no hesitation': Neighbor recounts moments before Richmond officer shot | Suspect in shooting of Richmond police officer has criminal history dating back to 1994
-
IMPD warns of increased violence among unsupervised teens
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department expects to see more unsupervised young people during the summer break from school, and city leaders are worried that could lead to more violence.
Black Church Coalition demands halt to incentives for data centers
A group of local clergy who’ve organized against the Metrobloks data center in the Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood says it's ready to organize against any city officials in support of the project.
Man shot, critically injured in parking garage near Indiana Convention Center
A person is in critical condition, and another was detained, following a shooting near the Indiana Convention Center Thursday.
Juvenile and man injured in shooting in Martindale-Brightwood
A juvenile male and a man are in "stable, but serious" condition following a shooting in Martindale-Brightwood Thursday, police said.
