MIFFLINTOWN - A 32-year-old man who sustained serious injuries as the result of shootout with police appeared in court on Thursday.
Brian C. Janson and his attorney Brian Ulmer were in court to give an update on the case.
Ulmer said due to some communications issues, Janson had not yet been scheduled for a psychological evaluation, but he is confident it can be done within the next two months.
Ulmer contends Janson suffered brain damage as a result of a shootout with police and has "little or no understanding of the events in question."
"Defendant's family reports that his capacities have been severely diminished following the shooting," court documents state.
At a preliminary hearing in August 2011, Janson had to be helped into the courtroom by family members because he had difficulty moving around and it appeared he also had trouble speaking. Janson subsequently waived his right to a preliminary hearing and the charges were bound over to the court of common pleas.
In court on Thursday, Janson appeared to be able to move around on his own, without the help of others.
Police opened fire on Janson on Aug. 17, 2010 after he allegedly pointed a gun at officers following a lengthy manhunt to track him down to answer questions about an alleged domestic dispute with his girlfriend that allegedly occurred several hours prior to the shooting. Janson is also alleged to have stolen two trucks following the dispute, court documents indicate.
Janson sustained several serious injuries from the shooting, including a gunshot wound to the head, which destroyed one of his eyes.
The shooting was ruled justified by Juniata County District Attorney Cory Snook in December 2010, following a four-month investigation. Janson spent several months at Milton S. Hershey Medical Center recuperating from the wounds he sustained during the incident.
As troopers approached the passenger's side of the car, Janson was ordered to drop his weapon and show his hands, police said. Janson reportedly ignored those commands and exited the vehicle on the driver's side, brought the weapon to his shoulder and aimed it at police, who then fired at Janson, according to documents.
A total of four Pennsylvania State Police troopers fired at Janson that morning, all of whom were placed on administrative duties while Snook conducted his investigation.
Janson is charged with several counts of attempted homicide, attempted assault of a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, theft, receiving stolen property, criminal mischief and prohibited possession of a firearm.
According to court documents, Janson remains free on bail and was previously released to the custody of his sister who lives in New Jersey.
Janson is tentatively scheduled to appear on Nov. 15. No trial date has been set.
