They started jury selection Tuesday for a Hutchinson man involved in a police chase on December 6, 2011, but in the middle of that jury selection, Jason Thiel decided to enter into a plea agreement instead.

He entered guilty pleas to one of two counts of aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer while the second was dropped. He also entered a plea to aggravated assault, interference with law enforcement, two counts of criminal damage, one felony and one a misdemeanor and misdemeanor theft. The charges of flee and elude, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while suspended and no proof of insurance were dropped by the state.

Apparently, he decided he wanted to enter the plea and after lunch while still in the jury selection process, the pleas were entered. Thiel never mentioned during the morning jury selection process that he wanted to take the plea, but had left a voice mail for his attorney Monday evening stating so. But, Alice Osburn didn’t check her voice-mail till noon and discovered his wishes so she arranged for him to enter the plea agreement with the state.

Thiel is now guilty of being in a stolen vehicle and leading police on two chases, and at one point, allegedly ramming two police cruisers and attempting to run over officer Terry Martin. He then left the parking lot, but eventually he and his passenger Bryson Allen jumped from the moving vehicle. The passenger managed to get away, but Thiel was arrested and taken to jail.

Sentencing in the case will be on March 29.