An Altoona Mirror reports states that Judge Tim Sullivan heard arguments from the prosecution and defense in the case against Christopher Aikens. He is charged with the death of corrections officer Rhonda Russell last November. He allegedly took Russell hostage in an attempt to escape from the Blair Central court building. Russell was placed in the line of fire from an Altoona Police officer and was killed. Aikens attorney wants his statements to police thrown out because they were made without counsel present. He also stated that the statements may have been influenced by drug withdrawl symptoms that Aikens was allegedly having. Judge Sullivan will review transcripts of the hearing and make a ruling sometime in the next 30 days or so.
