A man arrested in a robbery that led to an exchange of gunfire with a Little Rock police officer pleaded innocent to multiple felony charges Tuesday.
Kenneth Lavell Nelson, 25, is accused of holding up a Red Lobster at 8407 W. Markham St. on Saturday night with two of his cousins. Police said the robbers exchanged gunfire with an off-duty officer who confronted them at the restaurant.
The officer, Shawn Bakr, 39, was shot in the shoulder. He was treated and released from a hospital later that night.
Nelson's court appearance was the second in the case.
His cousin, Troy James Williams, 20, of Cabot, pleaded innocent Monday to charges of criminal attempted capital murder, first-degree battery on a law enforcement officer, aggravated robbery and six counts of aggravated assault.
Nelson pleaded innocent Tuesday to those same charges.
District Judge Alice Lightle set bail for the men at $2 million each.
Police said Williams' 17-year-old brother, who was shot in the buttocks during the gunfight, faces adult charges in the case. He remained hospitalized with serious injuries Tuesday. Police have not released the boy's identity.
Nelson was arrested early Monday after a three-hour standoff with police at his grandmother's home, police reported. Tactical officers used tear gas to force him out of the house at 5205 W. 31st St. According to a police report, Nelson's girlfriend told police that he was involved in the Red Lobster robbery.
Prosecutors at Tuesday's court hearing requested $5 million bail for Nelson, as they had Monday for Williams. They noted that Nelson is facing charges of aggravated robbery, second-degree battery, theft by receiving and theft of property in a separate case. He was released from jail Dec. 12 on a $20,000 bond.
Prosecutors added that Nelson was convicted of theft of property in Wisconsin in 2010.
Nelson appeared in court through a video feed from the Pulaski County jail. His hands and feet were shackled. Most other inmates who appeared through the feed were not restrained.
A public defender said Tuesday that Nelson had not admitted involvement in the robbery, as police said Williams had done. The attorney, who waived a reading of the charges against Nelson, said that Nelson is schizophrenic and suffers from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
The next court date for Williams and Nelson was set for March 14.
Metro on 01/13/2016