Ashley man given 11 years for attempted murder after March shooting

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An Ashley man was sentenced to 11 years in prison Friday morning after being found guilty of attempted murder on Thursday.

Christopher Robin Sidders, 42, appeared in Delaware County Common Pleas Court Friday morning to be sentenced on a count of attempted murder, a first-degree felony; two counts of felonious assault, second-degree felonies and two counts of having firearms while under disability, third-degree felonies. The felonious assault and attempted murder charge also carried firearm specifications, which add mandatory prison time to any sentence.

Sidders was charged with the felonies after he went into the bedroom of his ex-wife’s friend, Jeff Shilt, and shot him in the jaw on March 22 at their home in Ashley, prosecutors said during the trial.

At the hearing Assistant Delaware County Prosecutor Mark Sleeper, told Delaware County Common Pleas Judge Everett Krueger that Shilt suffered “serious physical harm” as the result of the shooting and can’t eat solid food, can barely get around and has to breath with the assistance of a tube in his neck.

“It’s very difficult for him to talk about what happened,” Sleeper said. Sleeper said Shilt is suffering from paranoia of being shot again and avoids situations with loud noises or flashing lights.

Sleeper told Krueger that Sidders has a criminal history that goes back 20 years and has shown no genuine remorse about the shooting.

Before sentencing him, Krueger gave Sidders an opportunity to speak about the case.

“I’m sorry the whole incident happened,” Sidders said. Sidders said he feared Shilt and was defending himself.

Sleeper said the two felonious assault charges merge with the attempted murder charge, and the weapons charges merge together.

Krueger sentenced Sidders to eight years in prison for the attempted murder charge with an additional three years in prison for the firearm specification and sentenced Sidders to three years in prison for the having weapons while under disability charge. He ordered the three years for the gun specification be served consecutive to the eight years, but said the three year sentence from the having weapons while under disability charge would served concurrent to the other charges.

Krueger said Sidders’ lack of remorse was clearly indicated when Sidders lied on the stand during the trial. He added the lying was “pretty apparent and sad” and said it was clear that Sidders was trying to thwart the investigation and the justice system.

Additionally, Krueger credited Sidders the 192 days he has spent in the Delaware County Jail since his arrest on March 23.

When Sidders is released from prison he will be subject to five years of post-release control.

Sidders was in the Delaware County Jail Friday afternoon awaiting transport to prison. Krueger said he would appoint an attorney to handle Sidders’ appeal.

The trial began on Tuesday and the case was given to the jury Thursday afternoon. The jury found Sidders guilty on all counts just after 6 p.m. The case was prosecuted by Sleeper and Assistant County Prosecutor Cory Goe. Sidders was represented by public defender Thomas Waldeck.

Christopher Robin Sidders at his sentencing hearing Friday morning along with his attorney Thomas Waldeck.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2016/10/web1_sidders-sentencing.jpgChristopher Robin Sidders at his sentencing hearing Friday morning along with his attorney Thomas Waldeck.

By Glenn Battishill

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Glenn Battishill can be reached at 740-413-0903 or on Twitter @BattishillDG.

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