Suspect in fatal Monroe County deputy shooting pleads not guilty

FORSYTH, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The accused suspect in the 2014 shooting death of a Monroe County deputy and injury of another, plead not guilty.

47-year-old Christopher Calmer was in court Monday morning. He’s facing felony murder and aggravated assault charges, accused of shooting Monroe Deputies Michael Norris and Jeff Wilson in September 2014.

Norris was pronounced brain dead shortly after. Wilson was hospitalized and recovered from his injuries.

District Attorney Richard Milam says the defense has another trial scheduled for early January and that will push back any plans of starting this case.

“After that we will start our trial which will be first motions, we will file a great deal of motions, in the next 60 days,” Milam said.

There are also talks of the case being heard by an out of town jury after the defense raised concerns about Monroe County residents knowing too much about the case and Deputy Wilson being named as one of the prosecutors.

“I would anticipate the venue for the selection of the jury will be changed, but that’ll be something the judge will decide,” said Milam.

A date hasn’t been set for the trial to begin, but the DA says attorneys have to be back in court on May 12th, the deadline for all motions filed in the case.

Calmer could face the death penalty if he’s convicted.