By Kevin Boneske
Reporter/Photographer

A 60-year-old Tripoli man accused of trying to shoot his wife at their town of Lynne residence has been bound over for trial on felony charges of attempted first-degree intentional homicide and reckless injury.

During a preliminary hearing Friday in Oneida County Circuit Court, Judge Michael Bloom found probable cause that Kenneth S. Welsh committed the alleged felony offenses and set a May 16 arraignment date for Welsh to enter a plea.

The attempted murder charge alone carries a possible maximum penalty of 40 years of initial confinement in prison. Welsh also faces misdemeanor charges of domestic abuse battery and possessing a firearm while intoxicated.

Oneida County District Attorney Michael W. Schiek called only one witness to testify, sheriff’s department detective-sergeant Chad Wanta, who stated he was one of the officers to respond April 19 to a 911 call from Welsh’s wife, Mary Butler.

Wanta said Butler told her she left the residence after having a physical altercation with Welsh, who had a firearm and received a gunshot wound to his shoulder during the altercation.

Upon Butler leaving the residence, Wanta said she told him Welsh shot the windshield of the vehicle with which she drove away.

Wanta also testified that Butler told him Welsh was upset that they were about to be evicted from their house and was threatening her.

Welsh was apprehended at his residence, Wanta testified, after Special Response Team officers arrived at the scene and used beanbag rounds.

Welsh’s attorney, Mary Roth Burns, questioned Wanta about different versions Butler told him of the alleged incidents.

Burns said her client decided not to waive the preliminary hearing because he wanted as much information about the situation that led to him being charged brought out in court, such as when he was shot.

Court records state that Schiek decided not to charge Butler because he determined she acted in self-defense.