A Michigan man whose 2-year-old daughter shot herself in the head with his revolver last week pleaded not guilty after becoming the first person charged under the state’s new law requiring safe storage of guns.

Michael Tolbert, 44, of Flint, was arraigned Monday on nine felony charges including single counts of first-degree child abuse and violation of Michigan’s gun storage law, said John Potbury, Genesee County’s deputy chief assistant prosecuting attorney.

Tolbert’s daughter remained hospitalized Wednesday in critical condition from the Feb. 14 shooting, Potbury said. The youngster shot herself the day after Michigan’s new safe storage gun law took effect.

  • squiblet@kbin.social
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    30
    ·
    9 months ago

    That can be a claim, whether or not they’re disputing the basic facts, that the situation doesn’t match the specific crime the defendant is accused of.

    • Wogi@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      14
      ·
      9 months ago

      If he plead guilty he’d be accepting a felony charge and would have to give up his guns. He’s probably holding out for a plea that lets him keep them.

      • AnneBonny@lemmy.dbzer0.com
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        14
        ·
        edit-2
        9 months ago

        He was already a felon:

        A not guilty plea was entered Monday on behalf of Tolbert, who also faces one count each of felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, lying to a peace officer in a violent crime investigation and four counts of felony firearm, Potbury said.

        He said Tolbert is barred from possessing firearms and ammunition because he has multiple firearms-related felony convictions and drug-related convictions.

      • AbidanYre@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        11
        arrow-down
        2
        ·
        9 months ago

        Pretty shitty parent/person prioritizing his guns over the safety of his two-year old.

        • athos77@kbin.social
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          4
          arrow-down
          3
          ·
          9 months ago

          Well, I mean, the kid is already injured but they don’t have his guns yet!! /S /S /S