Judge approves extension to resolve case for Chattanooga man accused of shooting cop

Officer William McMillan
Officer William McMillan
photo Celvin Houston

Attorneys have until Aug. 29 to finish "significant plea discussions" for a Chattanooga man charged with attempted first-degree murder of a police officer in 2013, a judge said today.

"I'll mark that as a plea deadline, and then from there we'll set a trial date if we need to do so," Criminal Court Judge Barry Steelman said to Celvin Houston.

Authorities believe Houston, 43, shot Chattanooga officer William McMillan in the thigh, groin and buttocks on March 12, 2013, in East Lake Courts. McMillan survived.

Houston was charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated assault, and one count of aggravated robbery in Hamilton County Criminal Court.

Houston was also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm in Chattanooga's U.S. District Court and is serving a 10-year sentence in federal prison after he was sentenced in February.

Houston has not been convicted in the shooting of McMillan yet.

His fifth defense attorney, Amanda Dunn, said today she was involved in "significant plea discussions" with state prosecutors and asked to move Houston's Aug. 9 trial to a different date.

"If we continue the trial date, he may not get one until next year," Steelman said.

Steelman set the next appearance for Aug. 29 but held off from picking a new trial date. . Prosecutors said they would take Houston to trial if the case is not resolved by then.

Houston also pleaded not guilty today to contraband in a penal institution and aggravated assault, which he picked up in custody at CoreCivic in March 2015.

According to court records, Houston attacked three guards with a mop after someone turned off the TV while he was working in an eating area. The guards went to the hospital with minor injuries. That same day, investigators confiscated an eight-inch plastic knife from Houston.

This is a developing story. Please check back later for more information.

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