A Topeka man will undergo psychiatric evaluation at Larned State Hospital before he is sentenced for trying to kill a Lawrence Police officer.
Jeffrey H. McManaman, 29, pleaded no contest on Monday to one count of attempted voluntary manslaughter for grabbing officer Ted Bordman's 9 mm handgun from its holster and pointing it at the policeman's throat.
"It was a very difficult case," Douglas County Dist. Atty. Christine Tonkovich said. "There were many issues involved, and the most important thing was that the officer walked away and was pleased with the outcome."
McManaman was found guilty for a May 31 fight with Bordman, who had attempted to arrest McManaman after responding to a report of an assault in West Lawrence. Bordman ordered McManaman to the ground, but McManaman grabbed Bordman and threw him to the ground before grabbing his gun.
Bordman managed to insert his finger behind the trigger before McManaman could fire the gun. Bystanders helped subdue McManaman until other officers arrived.
Also arising during court proceedings was the question of McManaman's mental competency. He was deemed competent in October to stand trial, even after telling police that he was "battling the forces of Satan" when he tried to shoot Bordman, according to testimony.
"We took his mental competency into consideration," Tonkovich said. "He'll be sent to Larned ... there are still some outstanding issues to resolve."
A pre-sentence investigation hadn't been completed, but if McManaman is found to have no criminal history, he could receive up to two years and 10 months in prison.
McManaman is scheduled to be sentenced on April 19, but that date could be postponed pending the results of his evaluation, Tonkovich said..
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