Sanity At Issue For Man Accused Of Shooting Officer

JENNINGS, La. (AP) — A state judge is considering a sanity commission request for a Jennings man accused of shooting a police officer last June.

The American Press reports George Lowdins is charged with attempted first-degree murder of a police officer and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He pleaded not guilty in August.

During a court hearing Tuesday, Lowdins' attorney filed a motion asking Judge Steve Gunnell to appoint a sanity commission. Gunnell took the matter under advisement.

Lowdins is being held in jail on $1 million bond. He faces up to 50 years on the attempted first-degree murder charge and up to 15 years on the firearm possession charge.

He is accused of shooting Sgt. Ricky Benoit in the neck after officers responded to a domestic disturbance.