Not guilty plea entered in judge intimidation case

A Greencastle man who allegedly threatened to attack Putnam Circuit Court Judge Matt Headley on Monday was back in court on Wednesday afternoon, this time facing charges stemming from the Monday incident.

Calm and apologetic, 25-year-old Joshua Akins expressed his regret to Putnam Superior Court Judge Denny Bridges.

"I understand everything that put me behind bars," Akins said, "and I will take the blame for it and nobody else."

On the counts of Level 5 felony intimidation and Class A misdemeanor resisting law enforcement, Judge Bridges entered not-guilty pleas on Akins' behalf.

The judge also appointed public defender Austin Malayer to the case.

Bond in the case is set at $20,000, cash only.

The man in court on Wednesday displayed a far different demeamor from his alleged Monday actions, when he told Headley he was going to wring his neck.

Monday's incident might have escalated further if not for the quick action of Cloverdale Police Department Sgt. Charlie Hallam, who was in court as a witness.

As Akins made a move toward Headley, Hallam took him to the ground and held him until other officers could assist.

Although Akins' statements on Monday indicated some sort of disagreement with Headley, Putnam County Prosecutor Tim Bookwalter said no such link seems to exist.

Akins is not linked to any current or recent proceedings in Putnam Circuit Court. He previously faced misdemeanor cases in Headley's court but those were settled in 2011 and 2013.

Akins' only current court case, besides this week's charges, was a Class B misdemeanor criminal mischief charge, which is also being handled in Putnam Superior Court.

Akins is due back in court for a pre-trial conference in May.