AUGUSTA — A Jay man is to be committed to a psychiatric center for an undetermined amount of time in connection with shooting a rifle toward a state police trooper in 2006, as ordered by Justice Michaela Murphy at the Kennebec County Superior Court in Augusta on Monday.

William C. Burhoe, 55, pleaded not criminally responsible to a felony charge of reckless conduct with a firearm against Maine State Police Trooper Randy Keaten.

Franklin County Assistant District Attorney James Andrews and Burhoe’s attorney, Walter Hanstein, reached a plea agreement prior to Monday’s hearing that dismissed an aggravated attempted murder charge.

Burhoe, who is taking new medication, had been in federal custody since late 2006. He pleaded guilty on Friday in federal court to possessing a firearm after having been involuntarily committed to a mental institution in a previous emergency situation.

A U.S. District Court judge sentenced him to four years, one month and 24 days of imprisonment, three years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. Burhoe was given credit for time he already served in federal custody.

He answered to state charges Monday.

Andrews told the Augusta court that if the case had gone to trial, witnesses would have testified that police responded on the evening of June 6, 2006, to 309 Macomber Hill Road in Jay after a 911 report of a domestic disturbance and shots being fired. Burhoe’s son would testify that he heard a rifle shot and thought it was directed at him, Andrews said.

Testimony would show that Burhoe repeatedly ignored police orders to drop the rifle, he said.

Witnesses would testify that Burhoe pointed the rifle in different directions, including at police.

Witnesses would testify that Burhoe shot one round toward his house and the bullet entered it and exited very close to where Keaten was standing, Andrews said. Keaten in turn shot Burhoe in the upper leg, he said.

A state detective would testify that Burhoe admitted to knowing police officers were present and that he heard police order him to put down the rifle, Andrews said.

He would also testify that Burhoe denied any attempt to kill Keaten, Andrews said.

If the state’s witnesses testified with the testimony heard in court, Hanstein said Burhoe believes he would be convicted.

Murphy said the court found the state could prove beyond a reasonable doubt the reckless conduct charge.

She entered a guilty plea to the charge.

Hanstein asked the court to rely on medical records that indicate Burhoe suffers from schizophrenia.

It is clear from the reports that he was overwhelmed with his mental illness that evening, Hanstein said.

Murphy said the court finds that Burhoe lacked substantive capacity to appreciate the wrongful conduct.

Andrews said that it has always been Keaten’s position that he was not concerned about punishing Burhoe but that Burhoe be in a safe place to get the necessary treatment to avoid any recurrence of the incident.

Murphy committed Burhoe to the custody of Maine Department of Health and Human Services. He was to be taken to Riverview Psychiatric Center in Augusta after the hearing for an undetermined period, until the state is satisfied that restrictions could be lessened.

“I don’t know when or if you would be released from Riverview,” Murphy told Burhoe. She said he could petition the court for release in the future.

The state would have had to show that Burhoe intentionally tried to kill Keaten to prove the aggravated attempted murder charge, Andrews said after the hearing.

In this case, Burhoe will need to prove to the court that he is not a danger to others and himself before he is released from Riverview, he said.

“It is certainly the most appropriate result based on the facts of the case,” Hanstein said. “I know that he is thinking more clearly and that Mr. Burhoe is gratified that no one else was hurt besides himself.”

[email protected]