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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Multimedia Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend February 21, 2007 Click image for larger view Pertamia Ten�t, mother of Michael Phillip Magatelli, second from right, read a statement on the steps of the Jackson County Justice Building Tuesday defending her son. Magatelli has been charged with three counts of attempted aggravated murder and one count of second-degree assault in connection with the shooting of a 28-year-old Central Point man Saturday. (Mail Tribune / Jim Craven) Coming to his defense Mother says Michael Magatelli is innocent of aggravated attempted murder in Saturday's Foley Lane incident By ANITA BURKE Mail Tribune The man accused of shooting at a vehicle and wounding a man in a neighborhood dispute Saturday has been charged with three counts of attempted aggravated murder and one count of second-degree assault. Michael Phillip Magatelli, 21, of Central Point, bit his lip and looked concerned Tuesday as Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Bill Purdy read the charges. Magatelli appeared in court via a video link from the Jackson County Jail and pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Before Magatelli's arraignment, his family gathered on the steps of the justice building and his mother, Pertamia Tenét, read a statement avowing his innocence. "We want everyone here to reserve judgment," she said. "Once the investigation is complete, you will know my son is innocent." She said an attorney had advised her not to comment further. Advertisement Magatelli is one of nine children, and his family filled nearly half of the courtroom, with some members choking back sobs as Judge Purdy read the charges and the sentences they carry. Under Measure 11, the minumum-sentencing guidelines approved by Oregon voters, attempted aggravated murder carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison upon conviction. Second-degree assault carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and 10 months. Jackson County Sheriff's Department deputies arrested Magatelli Saturday evening after an altercation Saturday afternoon on Foley Lane, a rural road that connects Blackwell and Old Stage roads. The area lies just outside Gold Hill, but has a Central Point address. At about 3:15 p.m. Saturday, police received reports of a dispute with shots fired. A subsequent call requested medical help for a gunshot victim in the 11000 block of Blackwell Road, a sheriff's department news release reported. Thomas Charles Ellis, 28, of Central Point, was taken to Rogue Valley Medical Center with a gunshot wound to his back, the sheriff's department said. He underwent surgery and deputies said he was in stable condition over the weekend. Updates on his condition weren't available Tuesday because of medical privacy rules. Investigators determined that Ellis and a group of acquaintances went to a home on Foley Lane to get some personal property and a verbal dispute erupted. The resident of that home called friends to help convince the group to leave, and shots were fired at a fleeing pickup with Ellis and two other men inside, investigators said. The other two men weren't injured, but three attempted aggravated murder charges were filed because the shots fired at all of them during the same incident, prosecutors explained. The assault charge stems from Ellis' injury. A grand jury will hear Magatelli's case Thursday, and a preliminary hearing is set for Tuesday. Reach reporter Anita Burke at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Entertainment Guide Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Men's Clothing Debt Help