By By NORMA LERNER / Dowagiac Daily News
CASSOPOLIS - A Ross Beatty High School senior pleaded not guilty to 46 weapons and assault charges Monday in connection with an altercation Dec. 12 at Dr. T. K. Lawless Park southeast of Vandalia.
Jeremy Joseph, 18, of Cassopolis, entered the pleas in Cass County Circuit Court before Judge Michael Dodge, who set bond at $100,000.
Joseph was released on bond.
Dodge is expected to set a trial date next week for Joseph.
Charged with the weapons and assault offenses along with Joseph are Aaron A. Whitman, 17, of Vandalia, and Allen T. Hatton, 18, of Vandalia.
Both Whitman and Hatton earlier waived preliminary examinations and are jailed without bond. Their trial dates also are expected to be set this month.
Injured in the altercation allegedly over a female were Ricky Armstrong, 40, of Edwardsburg, John Slone, 40, of Ashley, Ind., and Andrew Skibowski, 24, of Spencerville, Ind.
The charges are conspiracy to commit murder with a penalty of life in prison or any term of years, one count; assault with intent to murder, life or any term of years, four counts; conspiracy to assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, 10 years, one count; conspiracy to assault with a dangerous weapon, four years, one count; assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, 10 years, four counts; assault with a dangerous weapon, four years, nine counts; carrying a weapon with unlawful intent, five years, one count; firearm discharge from a vehicle, four years, two counts; and felony firearm, two years consecutive, 23 counts.