Daniel Paul Copple, who is accused of killing two men at the Elbow Room Lounge in February, waived his right to a preliminary hearing Thursday in Columbus Municipal Court.
The decision, which was recommended to him by his recently appointed public defender, attorney Steve Wallace, means his case will go directly to the grand jury.
Copple, 43, of Lucerne Valley, Calif., is charged with two counts of murder for shooting and killing James Bennett Mann, 42, of Columbus, and Mark Caudill, 33, of Birmingham, Ala., at the downtown pub early Feb. 16.
The defendant, who was an independent contractor for Severstal at the time, is also charged with aggravated assault for allegedly hitting a pedestrian with his truck and leaving the scene shortly before the shooting.
On the run from police, Copple left his truck at the Gilmer Inn, where he was staying, and wandered over to the Elbow Room Lounge.
Witnesses at the pub told police Caudill pulled a gun, which he had a permit for but was illegally carrying in a bar, when Copple began acting “erratic.” Copple was able to get the gun and shoot Caudill. Mann was also shot when he tried to intervene.
Both victims were taken to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle where they later died.
Copple is currently in jail on a $3 million bond.
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