The trial of a woman allegedly involved in the shooting of a Cullman police officer was postponed Tuesday pending a mental evaluation of her co-defendant.
A Cullman County grand jury indicted Misty Nicole Mercer, 29 of Georgia in April on several counts of attempted murder and assault in the second degree. Her husband, Chad Scott Mercer, 31 was also indicted on charges of attempted murder and robbery in the first degree.
According to Cullman County Circuit Court records, (Chad) Mercer’s mental evaluation is impacting (Misty) Mercer’s trial because the district attorney’s office is attempting to consolidate both cases.
“We are opposed to that,” said Kim Drake, defense attorney for Misty Mercer. “In the best interest of our client, it is better that we have separate trials.”
Drake alleged that her client is but another victim in this case.
“Her mother never thought she would have left with him (Chad),” Drake said. “She was a battered wife and had filed a protection from abuse. She was not there voluntarily.”
Drake also alleged Misty Mercer’s mother filed a missing person’s report around the time she left Georgia.
“We’re working on getting all that information on the missing person’s report,” Drake said.
According to Cullman Police reports, Officer Roy Bates, 35, was struck in the face by a stray shotgun pellet allegedly fired by one of the Mercers after a high-speed chase on Feb. 3. He was not seriously injured.
The shooting occurred a few minutes after the Mercers allegedly robbed the BP service station on Alabama Highway 157 near Interstate 65 at gunpoint. Cullman officers Bates, Jeremy Hudson and Chris Thomason quickly responded to the scene. Thomason attempted to pull the suspects’ truck over for a traffic stop in Dodge City, but it sped away.
The Mercers then allegedly led officers on a high-speed chase down Interstate 65 that topped 100 mph at certain times. At one point, one of the suspects fired shots at Thomason’s vehicle.
The suspect vehicle stopped abruptly around Highway 291. Bates, who was the passenger in the police car Hudson was driving, opened his car door, stepped outside and drew his weapon, at which point he was shot.
The police pursuit then continued south on Interstate 65 and soon involved several other law enforcement agencies. The suspect vehicle was immobilized by police spike strips in Gardendale and the Mercers gave up without further resistance.
A representative from the district attorney’s office could not be reached for comment on this article by deadline.
‰ Patrick McCreless can be reached by e-mail at patrickm@cullmantimes.com or by telephone at 734-2131 ext. 270.
Top News
Cop shooting trial postponed
- Top News
-
-
Wreck claims one life, another injured
A two-vehicle accident just west of Cullman late Wednesday afternoon took the life of a Cullman man and sent the driver of a separate vehicle to the hospital with injuries police said were not life-threatening.
-
Moe’s BBQ headed to downtown Cullman with patio dining, live music stage
Being from Cullman County, Good Hope alum Tyler Schuman knows the area is historically lacking in nightlife.
-
UPDATE: Sisters die from injuries sustained in Tuesday accident
Two Cullman County women are dead as a result of a two-vehicle accident that happened near the intersection of Alabama Highway 69 and County Road 223 Tuesday afternoon in the area of Dodge City.
-
Authorities seize synthetic marijuana at Good Hope Exxon; one charged
A Cullman man and local store manager is facing drug charges as a result of an investigation by the Cullman Narcotics Enforcement Team (CNET).
-
Man charged with trafficking pot
Suspicious traffic complaints to the Cullman Narcotics Enforcement Team (CNET) from citizens about the area around Highway 91 in Colony led to the arrest of a local man Tuesday morning.
-
Two women injured in accident in Dodge City
Two Cullman women were transported by separate helicopters to UAB Tuesday to receive medical treatment following a two-vehicle accident at Dodge City.
-
Candy Phillips Thomas seeking probate judge seat
Longtime public school teacher Candy Phillips Thomas has announced she will seek the Republican nomination for Cullman County probate judge in the March 13 primary election.
-
3 arrested in connection with church burglaries
Three people were arrested over the weekend in connection with a church burglary that took place at Seventh Street Baptist Church in June of last year.
Eric McMillian turned himself into the Cullman Police Department Saturday and was charged with burglary and receiving stolen property according to officials. A female juvenile was also taken into custody. -
Hanceville church vandalized; 'Hail Satan' written in cross' place
Hanceville Police are working on several leads to find out who vandalized Center Hill Baptist Church sometime between Thursday night and the early morning Friday.
-
UPDATED: Woman injured over weekend dies; autopsy shows injuries consistent with fall
A state forensics autopsy has concluded that a Cullman woman who died due to head trauma over the weekend, after being found unresponsive in the parking lot of her apartment complex Saturday morning, was likely caused by a fall.
- More Top News Headlines
-
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Video of Ga. Man Who Killed Girl Released
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
