A weeklong trial is set to start on Monday for a 38-year-old man charged in connection with the stabbing of a Cortez police officer on Valentine\u2019s Day.<\/p>\n
Shane French, 38, faces four counts of felony assault, five counts of resisting arrest and two counts for a crime of violence in connection to an incident at his North Texas Street home on Feb. 14.<\/p>\n
French allegedly stabbed Cortez Police Department officer Casey Eubanks once on his left side.<\/p>\n
The event marks the first felony case to be decided by a jury under District Attorney Will Furse\u2019s administration. Elected in 2012,<\/p>\n
Furse declined to comment on prosecuting his first felony trial, citing it would be unethical while the case was pending.<\/p>\n
According to arguments heard during preliminary proceedings, French is expected to launch a Make My Day defense.<\/p>\n
Public defenders said their client simply tried to defend himself and his family after three Cortez police officers \u201crushed\u201d inside the home uninvited, assaulted his at-risk blind father and caused property damage while responding to a \u201cpossible disturbance call.\u201d<\/p>\n
Officers have admitted to electrocuting the suspect with a stun gun at least four times after he was placed in handcuffs.<\/p>\n
Court records reveal Eubanks suffered a single small stab wound to his left side.<\/p>\n
Police confiscated a 6-inch serrated knife and a 3\u00be-inch paring knife from the scene.<\/p>\n
For live courtroom updates, follow @tcbCortez on Twitter.<\/p>\n