The 32-year-old Manchester man charged with shooting two police officers Friday on the city's west side pleaded not guilty Monday to two counts of attempted capital murder.
Defendant Ian MacPherson is being held without bail at the Valley Street Jail in Manchester.
Although MacPherson was not in attendance, dozens of Manchester police officers did show up in court, including the two injured cops.
MacPherson allegedly shot Officers Ryan Hardy and Mathew O’Connor early Friday morning after they approached him about a reported robbery that occurred the previous night.
MacPherson’s family including his father, Russell MacPherson, also appeared in court Monday morning.
“He’s been suffering from mental illness issues for a long, long time – hopefully he is going to get help with that," MacPherson told the media after the hearing. "And we are going to be there for him the whole time, thank you.”
In an earlier interview with "The Union Leader," MacPherson's family questioned how Ian MacPherson purchased a gun with his mental health history. According to a police affidavit released Monday, MacPherson legally purchased the handgun in April at Chester Arms in Derry.
MacPherson is due back in court on May 27th for a probable cause hearing. He faces life in prison.
