VALPARAISO | After deliberating nearly 10 hours, a jury returned at 3:30 a.m. Friday to find a Jackson Township man guilty on two felony counts of shooting another man on New Year's Day.
Randy Swisher, 54, who represented himself during this week's trial with occasional assistance from public defenders, was found guilty of aggravated battery and battery with a deadly weapon.
He faces between six and 20 years behind bars on the first count and between two to eight years on the second. The terms are likely to run concurrent because of the similarity of the charges.
Sentencing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Sept. 12 before Porter Superior Judge Bill Alexa.
Family members told police Swisher had been acting delusional. On the day of the shooting, Swisher's son said Swisher asked to use 21-year-old Chad Nolan's cell phone. When Nolan refused, Swisher shot him and Nolan returned fire.
County police said Nolan was shot in the right shoulder and Swisher was shot in the stomach and right leg.
Nolan, who was treated at Porter Valparaiso Hospital Campus and was released, was not charged.
