LISBON — James Argentine, the man accused of shooting and seriously injuring Peter Feist in February in Rogers, pleaded not guilty to felonious assault during arraignment Thursday.

Argentine, 49, Farr Street, Rogers, appeared via video from the Columbiana County Jail, where he has been in custody since February when charges were filed against him in county Municipal Court and his case was bound over for consideration by the grand jury.

The grand jury issued the open indictment against Argentine on Tuesday.

An affidavit filed in county Municipal Court said an argument took place between Argentine and the victim as Argentine was driving alongside him near the intersection of Farr Street and Church Street and then allegedly shot him, causing serious physical harm that required surgery.

The felonious assault charge is a second-degree felony. According to the indictment, Argentine on Feb. 11, 2023 “did knowingly cause serious physical harm to Peter Feist.”

During the arraignment in county Common Pleas Court, Judge Megan Bickerton confirmed that Argentine had hired his own defense counsel, Eugene O’Byrne of Canton. O’Byrne was unable to attend the arraignment, which was handled by defense attorney Joe King.

O’Byrne filed a motion to dismiss the indictment on Wednesday, claiming the indictment wasn’t timely filed.

“The state has failed to meet the necessary requirements to allow for a speedy trial, as is the defendant’s right under the state and federal constitutions,” he wrote.

In an answer filed June 1, county Assistant Prosecutor Alec Beech said the case must not be dismissed if the court determines a statutory speed trial issue exists, referring the court to Ohio Revised Code statutes related to the defendant being eligible for release from custody pending trial and the timing for a motion to be filed.

Bickerton said she had not ruled on the motion yet. She also continued the bond of $300,000 cash or surety based on the allegations.

A status conference in the case has been scheduled for 1:15 p.m. June 6.

At the time of the shooting, Sheriff Brian McLaughlin said the victim suffered a gunshot wound to the torso after an argument between him and the suspect in the southeast part of town in the area of Farr Street. He said Feist, of East Palestine, was visiting a friend when he walked to the gas station and was on his way back when the argument and shooting occurred. He was 50 years old at the time of the shooting.