Winkleman man goes on trial for shooting Pinal County Deputy
VIA PINALCENTRAL | December 9
by Michael Maresh
FLORENCE — A 40-year-old Winkelman man who is accused of shooting a Pinal County Sheriff’s deputy in Dudleyville on March 30 is scheduled to go to trial in both January and February.
One of the trials for Jason Forrester is for aggravated assault for allegedly shooting a deputy and possession of a weapon by a prohibited person, while the other case is about drug possession.
Judge Robert Carter Olson Monday afternoon scheduled the two trials, one for Jan. 17 in the drug possession case and Feb. 7 for the aggravated assault case, with a trial-setting conference on Dec. 22.
Forrester allegedly used a firearm to intentionally, knowingly and recklessly cause physical injury to a police officer who was engaged in his official duties.
The second charge is for possessing a firearm while being prohibited from having a gun.
According to a statement at the time from the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, the deputy was shot by Forrester when the deputy arrived at the scene on a trespassing call, and the suspect was shot when the deputy returned fire.
The deputy, according to PCSO, was “in good spirits” and doing well after undergoing surgery following the shooting.
