JENNINGS — A Jennings man accused of shooting a police officer in the neck and severely injuring him has pleaded not guilty to charges in connection with the June 23 incident.

George D. Lawdins, 30, pleaded not guilty Monday in the 31st Judicial District Court to charges of attempted first-degree murder of a police officer in the line of duty and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Lawdins faces up to 50 years on the attempted first-degree murder charge and up to 15 years on the possession of a firearm charge, according to District Attorney Michael Cassidy.

Lawdins is accused of shooting Sgt. Ricky Benoit in the neck with a .380 caliber pistol after officers responded to a domestic disturbance call at a residence on East South Street in Jennings.

Lawdins was reportedly hiding in a bathroom closet and shot Benoit as he was searching the residence.

He attempted to flee the scene, but was subdued by another officer.

Benoit, a 25-year veteran of law enforcement, continues to undergo extensive rehabilitation in a New Orleans facility.

A Jan. 26 trial date has been set for Lawdins, who remains in the Jeff Davis Parish Jail on a $1 million bond.

Attorney Bill Riley stood in Monday for Lawdins’ attorney Joslyn Alex who was unable to attend the arraignment.

The shooting was the city’s first police officer in the line of duty shooting since 2004 when Officer Burt LeBlanc was fatally shot and two others wounded responding to a 911 medical call.(MGNonline)