STEUBENVILLE — A man who shot his wife in the ear following an argument entered a not guilty by reason of insanity plea, halting the start of his trial, which was set for Thursday in Jefferson County Common Pleas Court.

Brian I. Riggle, 33, of 5900 state Route 213, Toronto, was indicted on charges of attempted murder, three counts felonious assault and resisting arrest. The charges have firearm specifications and one with a specification of Riggle wearing body armor.

Jefferson County Sheriff Fred Abdalla said Riggle had been drinking on Jan. 18 and then was involved in an argument with his wife.

Riggle shot his wife in the left ear lobe with a 9mm handgun, Abdalla said. The bullet then traveled down into her shoulder and exited from her back, the sheriff said. The wife ran into her mother’s room and told her mother she needed to go to the hospital because her ear was bleeding, according to Abdalla.

Riggle then entered his mother-in-law’s room with an AK15 and hit her in the arm with the rifle, the sheriff said. At that point, the wife ran from their house to a neighbor’s residence and called for help, Abdalla said. The sheriff said Riggle told his mother-in-law he was going to kill her and everyone else, including the cops.

The mother-in-law was able to run out of the house when Riggle heard the police arrive, said Abdalla.

A deputy negotiated with Riggle to come out of the residence.

The sheriff said Riggle walked out of the front door wearing a bulletproof vest and carrying the AK15 pointed upward. Deputies reported finding 30 rounds of ammunition in the AK15 and two full ammunition clips on the back of his belt.

Defense attorney Steven Stickles told Judge Michelle Miller on Tuesday there may be some issues of basic competency with Riggle.

Miller said Riggle now will be evaluated to determine if he can assist in his own defense and his state of mind at the time of the alleged offense. The judge said the trial has been postponed.

Assistant Prosecutor Frank Bruzzese said he was ready for trial on Thursday and witnesses had been subpoenaed.

Riggle faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted as charged. Riggle faces a mandatory five years in prison on the firearm and body armor specifications.

Bruzzese and Stickles told Miller there had been discussions on a plea agreement, with the state offering 17 years in prison.