Preliminary hearing and arraignment set for Lawrence man charged in three cases since being shot by police in June

Zachary James Ortiz

The preliminary hearing and arraignment of a Lawrence man charged with various offenses in three separate cases — aggravated assault of an officer, aggravated battery and DUI, eluding police, criminal threat, interference with law enforcement duties and battery of a law enforcement officer — was pushed to a later date after two witnesses were unable to attend the preliminary hearing set for Tuesday.

Zachary James Ortiz, 24, who was shot by police in June after allegedly leveling a shotgun at an officer who confronted him inside his home, has already had a preliminary hearing in his first case in September and was bound over for trial.

On Tuesday, the state planned to present evidence at a preliminary hearing that Ortiz should be bound over for trial on his second case of aggravated battery.

Ortiz was arrested on suspicion of aggravated battery Oct. 21 after an alleged disturbance with weapons involving an ex-girlfriend of Ortiz’s, according to the arrest affidavit. The victim told police that Ortiz had strangled her and held a knife to her face, the affidavit said.

However, the state requested to reschedule the preliminary hearing because two of the witnesses could not appear in court Tuesday due to illness and travel plans. A new preliminary hearing in the aggravated battery case was scheduled for Feb. 24.

Ortiz was also to be arraigned Tuesday and make a plea on the charge of aggravated assault of an officer, but it was postponed until Feb. 24 so it could follow the aggravated battery case. Further court proceedings in his third case have not yet been set.

Ortiz is out of the Douglas County Jail after paying about $130,000 in bonds since June for his three cases. He is required to wear a patch to detect alcohol consumption.