HARRISON, Ark. (AP) — A man accused of shooting a mayor in northern Arkansas is due in court in Harrison.
A hearing is set for Justin Bates on Friday in Boone County Circuit Court. He was scheduled to appear in court last month, but was excused because of a pending mental evaluation.
Authorities say Bates shot and wounded Everton Mayor Bill Gerdes in June. Bates was convicted of second-degree murder in 2000 and was released from prison last year after Gerdes wrote a letter on his behalf.
Bates pleaded not guilty to attempted capital murder and weapons charges following the shooting of the mayor. He was sent back to prison earlier this summer.
