STANTON, N.D. (AP) - An 80-year-old man accused of threatening to kill people at a home in Mercer County, leading police on a chase and ramming three patrol cars has pleaded not guilty to 19 charges.
James Higginbotham went to his stepdaughter’s home in Hazen April 4, pointed a gun at adults and children in the house, threatened to kill them and himself and wouldn’t allow anyone to leave, according to a court affidavit.
Higginbotham demanded to see his stepdaughter’s mother, even though he had a no contact order, the affidavit said.
The Bismarck Tribune reports a man in the home was able to get the gun from Higginbotham, who left and then led police on a chase with speeds reaching 90 mph in 35 mph zones. Authorities said he rammed two patrol cars when he left the house and another when police boxed him in to end the chase.
Higginbotham is charged with seven counts of terrorizing, six counts of felonious restraint, three counts of reckless endangerment, fleeing a police officer, and two misdemeanors.
South Central District Judge John Grinsteiner on Wednesday moved the case to trial, but no date has been set.
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