ST. GEORGE, Utah (AP) — A Mohave County probation agent accused of staging a burglary and shooting himself has pleaded not guilty to a count of communications fraud.
The Spectrum reports 43-year-old Brian Rees Stephens is set to be scheduled for trial at a July 27 status hearing.
Prosecutors say Stephens shot himself in the leg so that people would see him as a hero.
Court records say Stephens told police he was shot during a struggle with a man who had put a gun to his head.
Stephens oversaw Utah residents on probation from Arizona.
Defense attorney Gary Pendleton questioned witnesses about a lack of gunshot residue and other evidence.
A judge said Tuesday that Pendleton had pointed out weaknesses in the prosecution's case, but that there was enough evidence to move forward.
