TOPOCK — An elderly Topock resident charged in an Officer Involved Shooting (OIS) will go to the Arizona Department of Corrections under terms of a plea agreement entered Monday, July 14. No one was injured in the Feb. 2 incident at the home of Edward Chemleski, 81, in the 5000 block of East Aravaipa Place.
Mohave County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded at 6:50 p.m. to a report of a disturbance at the residence. Agency spokeswoman Anita Mortensen reported that Chemleski was armed when he exited the home and fired at a deputy and retreated within his residence as he drew return gunfire.
Mortensen said as back up personnel arrived on scene, Chemleski again exited his residence, this time unarmed. She said he was taken into custody without further incident.
Defense attorney Ross Carponelli told Judge Billy Sipe that Chemleski believed he fired at a person involved in an ongoing dispute with a neighbor and did not realize it was law enforcement instead.
Carponelli shouted at his client before the Judge entered the courtroom, attempting to stop Chemleski from talking about case evidence during a public hearing monitored by others through ZOOM.
“Be quiet. Be quiet,” Carponelli exclaimed. “There’s people on line. Don’t talk about the case. It’s in your best interest.”
Chemleski continued his rant against sheriff’s deputies after Judge Sipe took the bench and began the proceeding.
“Nobody ever mentioned the fact that those police officers kicked the heck out of me,” Chemleski said. “I want to have my day in court with these guys who abused me.”
Judge Sipe told the defendant that officer conduct is not at issue during his change of plea hearing. Carponelli advised Chemleski to complete the hearing and get another attorney if he wanted to pursue criminal or civil complaints against involved law enforcement.
The back and forth went on some ten minutes or more.
Judge Sipe advised Chemleski would lose the benefits of the plea deal negotiated in his favor and can go to trial if he preferred. And prosecutor James Schoppmann noted the plea offer expired if not entered during the hearing.
Ultimately, Chemleski became more compliant and pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated assault. Multiple attempted murder counts are dismissed.
Chemleski faces a 3.5-7.5 year prison punishment when sentenced August 13. He’ll serve probation once released from prison.
Chemleski was also ordered to forfeit two weapons and associated ammunition.
