Defendant in robbery case declines to enter plea

A 20-year-old Lawrence man who is accused of taking part in a September robbery decided not to enter a plea in the case on Friday.

Jason Billam, the defense attorney for Christopher D. Self, on Friday told District Judge Peggy Kittel that Self had changed his mind after the defense last month had asked for a plea hearing.

Self is accused of driving two men to a south Lawrence apartment to commit a robbery.

Self’s two adult co-defendants in the case, Douglas Bittinger, 19, and Joshua Self, 18, face a Feb. 8 preliminary hearing on two counts of aggravated robbery, two counts each of aggravated battery and one count of conspiracy to commit robbery.

Prosecutors accuse the three men of participating in a scheme to use a gun to rob two 20-year-old Lawrence men on Sept. 6 at an apartment at The Exchange, 3100 Ousdahl Road. One victim was knocked unconscious from a head wound.

Two Lawrence boys, ages 16 and 17, also face the same counts in juvenile court.