Shooting suspect waives jury trial, puts his fate into judge’s hands
NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) (June 19, 2023) – A Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Court judge is deciding if a New Philadelphia man accused of shooting at his father is guilty of the charges against him.
28-year-old Timothy Robie has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to felonious assault and attempted murder for the October 2nd shooting at the father’s home on Hilan Drive Southwest. Robie waived his right to a jury trial Friday and put his fate in the hands of Judge Michael Ernest who will review police’s account of the incident, the father’s statement, and a report from the forensic psychologist who evaluated his mental state at the time of the alleged crimes.
“What I intend to do is take this matter under advisement and then issue a decision in writing after I’ve had an opportunity to review those to at least refresh my recollection.”
Robie’s public defender gave an overview of the psychologist’s findings.
“At the time of the offense, Mr. Robie did not understand the wrongfulness of his actions. He was actually hallucinating. Some of these hallucinations included him believing he was in a hospital in Iraq and that he was still in combat.”
Robie is also charged with discharging a firearm inside a home and a misdemeanor count of using a weapon while intoxicated. The New Philadelphia Police Department’s Special Response Team reportedly found Robie on the roof of the home holding a loaded shotgun and convinced him to surrender without incident.