Attorney Who Reportedly Shot Homeless Man at Law Office Pleads Not Guilty
A New Mexico criminal defense attorney facing a criminal case after reportedly shooting a homeless man in the leg Tuesday morning at or near his Albuquerque law office pleaded not guilty at a Thursday court hearing and had his $25,000 bond continued.
Details are disputed, but David “Chip” Venie contends he acted in self-defense and to protect his wife and staff at the Freedom Law Center when he pulled the trigger, according to the Albuquerque Journal (sub. req.) and KRQE.
The man who was shot, Stephen Biddinger, is expected to recover.
Venie was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after police watched a video of the incident shot by Venie’s wife and saw that Biddinger did not have a weapon, KOB reports.
Additional coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Criminal Defense Attorney Charged in Law Office Shooting; His Wife Recorded Incident on Cellphone”
