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Linton Man Pleads Not Guilty

Last updated on Tuesday, April 5, 2016

(BLOOMFIELD) - A Linton man pleaded not guilty Thursday in Greene Superior Court after he allegedly threatened a man with a knife and for petitions to revoke his probation on two unrelated cases.

Police say 52-year-old Russell Hardisty is facing a Level 5 felony intimidation with a deadly weapon charge in which he is accused of visiting the property of Juan Garcia and threatening him with a knife on March 16.

The Greene County Daily World reports that Hardisty's attorney, Sam Shapiro, entered a not guilty plea on Hardisty's behalf.

This incident followed a report earlier that week in which Hardisty allegedly shot Juan Garcia's brother, Alejandro, in the lower extremities. An initial press release from investigating officer Greene County Sheriff's Department Det. Sgt. Jim O'Malley stated Alejandro Garcia's wound was not life-threatening.

Hardisty is not facing charges in the shooting incident, as Greene County Prosecutor Jarrod Holtsclaw determined the incident was considered self defense.

Shapiro alleges the two brothers (the Garcias) have been circling Hardisty's home in their vehicle agitating the situation.

Hardisty had first been arrested for the felony intimidation charge on March 18, then posted a $10,000 bond with 10 percent allowed. He was back in Greene County Jail on the petitions to revoke suspended sentences.

Chief Deputy Prosecutor Keven McIntosh says the petitions to revoke suspended sentences were in connection to two cases in 2014 in which he is still on probation, including a November 2014 case in which he plead guilty to invasion of privacy and a December 2014 case where he plead guilty to operating a vehicle while intoxicated-endangering a person.

After some discussion, Judge Dena Martin agreed upon a $20,000 bond for each petition to revoke with 10 percent allowed -- based on the stipulation Hardisty is eligible for home detention.

Shapiro has made a motion for an insanity defense on Hardisty's behalf. The attorney has already sent the defendant to an independent psychologist, which has led to the request for a CAT scan saying Hardisty has suffered two traumatic brain injuries.

Shapiro says the home detention would be most suitable while Hardisty undergoes these evaluations.

Martin said she will also make arrangements for Hardisty to undergo two evaluations from court-appointed psychologists.

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