The hearing for three men charged in a case from September involving the alleged kidnapping and beating of a Nickerson man were scheduled to be in court Thursday for a preliminary hearing, however, as often happens, the case was continued at the request of defense attorneys saying they want more discovery from the prosecutors in the case.

There was already some question on whether the hearing would be held anyway, because one of the defendants, Jedrik Smith had been ordered a mental evaluation and deemed incompetent, and was then ordered to Larned for a complete mental evaluation.

He’s charged in the case along with 29-year-old Zachary Lawson, and 26-year-old Jeremia Palmer.

Charges include aggravated kidnapping, aggravated burglary, attempted aggravated robbery, and criminal threat. 28-year-old Larry McVey of Nickerson reported to authorities that he had been kidnapped and beaten by the three men. Reportedly taken to a shed and them beaten. This occurring on Sept 8.

Smith has another case pending for aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer and theft.

It started around 4:45 a-m back on July 5, when officers were dispatched to the Kwik Shop at 43rd and Plum regarding the theft of gas.

The description of the vehicle was relayed to other officers and one of them spotted the vehicle traveling north on Plum. That officer conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle in the 500 block of Idlewild. Smith was allegedly in possession of a firearm which prompted the officers to draw his weapon and issue verbal commands to him. He apparently ignored the verbal commands and began to drive away. Another officer providing assistance became entangled in the driver’s side door jam as the Smith drove away. As a result, the assisting officer was dragged a short distance causing injuries to his arm, leg and head. The original officer fired their weapon at the suspects car. Smith was not injured and continued to flee.

A short time later, a Reno County Sheriff’s deputy spotted the suspects vehicle and pursued it to an area of the 6000 block of North Lorraine. Smith alleged drove toward the deputy. The deputy fired upon Smith’s vehicle. Neither Smith nor the deputy were injured.

Smith continued to flee and led officers to the area around the 4000 block of North Plum. Smith then wrecked his vehicle in a ditch and fled on foot. He was apprehended a short time later in the area northwest of 38th and Severance.

His two cases are now basically on hold until the mental evaluation is complete.

When the hearing will be scheduled in the kidnapping case is unclear.