Bradly E. Grimes was scheduled to plea in the Muskingum County Court of Common Pleas Thursday morning, but with a last-minute decision reversal, Grimes was removed from the courtroom before pleading.

Just minutes before the court session began Thursday, Jan. 17, an outburst and argument with his defense attorney resulted in Grimes being escorted out of the courtroom and back to the Muskingum County Jail.

Grimes, 26, is charged with attempted murder, aggravated burglary —both first-degree felonies — felonious assault — a second-degree felony — and having a weapon under disability, as well as tampering with evidence — both third-degree felonies. The attempted murder, aggravated burglary and felonious assault charges all carry a firearm specification.

According to Muskingum County Sheriff Matt Lutz, this was the second time Grimes was scheduled to enter a plea but changed his mind.

On the morning of March 29, 2017, two men were involved in an altercation at 6820 Wentworth Dr. in which both men were shot. One of the men stayed at the Wentworth residence, while the other left in a vehicle with three other people, according to a press release from Muskingum County Sheriff Matt Lutz on the day of the incident.

The two men, later identified as Devonte Goins and Bradly Grimes, were both taken to Genesis Hospital in critical condition and taken into surgery.

At the time of the incident, Goins, then 21, had two outstanding, misdemeanor warrants for his arrest. One was out of Morgan County for a traffic violation, and the other, a domestic violence charge out of Zanesville, according to a release from March 30, 2017.

At the time, Grimes also had outstanding warrants for his arrest. The first, a third-degree felony warrant for possessing a weapon under disability out of Muskingum County. The second, a fourth-degree felony warrant for failing to register his change in address regarding a sex offender status, also out of Muskingum County.

According to Grimes’ indictment pertaining to the March 29 situation, he and two others were involved in an incident at or about the residence of 6820 Wentworth Dr.

“Bradly E. Grimes and Stormy J. Hooper and Audrey E. Preer did purposely engage in conduct that, if successful, would constitute or result in a violation of Section 2903.02(A) of the Revised Code, to-wit, Murder,” the second charge in the indictment states.

Hooper, 25, was originally charged with aggravated burglary, attempted murder — both first-degree felonies — felonious assault, a second-degree felony and two counts of tampering with evidence, both third-degree felonies, according to the indictment.

Hooper pleaded guilty on June 11, 2018, and is currently out on bond while awaiting sentencing, which is scheduled for Jan. 28.

Preer, 27, was originally charged with aggravated burglary, attempted murder — both first-degree felonies — felonious assault, a second-degree felony, and one count of tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony, according to the indictment.

Preer also pleaded guilty on June 11, 2018. She is currently out on bond awaiting sentencing which is scheduled for Feb. 4.

According to court documentation, Preer and Hooper were granted a modified bond with the condition that they could not have contact with co-defendants or the victim in the case.

Due to Preer and Hooper’s early pleas, their original charges may not reflect the charges they pleaded to.

Grimes is currently incarcerated in the Muskingum County Jail. He is in the midst of serving an aggregate sentence of 42 months for separate cases, which he was serving at Lebanon Correction Institute.

In July 2017, Grimes pleaded guilty to one count of having a weapon under disability, a third-degree felony, and illegal possession of a firearm in a liquor permit premises, a third-degree felony. He was sentenced to 36 months in prison on those charges.

Additionally, in July 2017 Grimes also pleaded guilty to one count of failure to register (an address change), a fourth-degree felony, in regard to his sex offender status. He received a six-month sentence on that charge.

Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Ron Welch said Grimes is scheduled for trial on Tuesday, Jan. 22, but the date will likely be pushed back.

According to court records, Mark Kaido, Grimes’ defense attorney, filed a motion to withdraw as Grimes’ counsel on Friday, Jan. 18 following the courtroom outburst.