LISBON A former East Palestine police officer facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges has formally entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity. The filing follows a recent court determination that the officer is currently incompetent to stand trial.

Matthew R. Elser, 44, submitted the written plea through his lawyer on Thursday in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court.

The plea entry comes on the heels of a Judgment Entry filed Oct. 16 by retired Judge Edward Emmett O'Farrell. That judgment stems from an Oct. 15 competency hearing in which Judge O'Farrell found Elser incompetent to proceed with his case.

The court ruled there is a substantial probability that Elser can be restored to competency within one year through a course of treatment. Judge O'Farrell subsequently or

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