Aikens

HOLLIDAYSBURG — An Altoona man faces a life in prison sentence after pleading guilty Monday to second-degree murder and related charges in the Nov. 17, 2021, shooting death of Blair County Prison corrections officer Rhonda Russell.

Christopher J. Aikens, 56, who was supposed to select a jury Monday for a November trial in Blair County Court, opted instead to render guilty pleas after consulting with defense attorney Richard Corcoran.

“He did it for the benefit of (her) family,” Corcoran said outside the courtroom where Aikens entered the pleas. “He just felt it was best for the family, to not put them through a jury trial.”

Four of Russell’s family members, who were in the courtroom to see Aikens enter the guilty pleas, later acknowledged their surprise at Aikens’ actions. But they collectively declined comment until Aikens’ sentencing hearing on Nov. 13.

In court Monday, District Attorney Pete Weeks asked Aikens to confirm his willingness to plead guilty to second-degree murder, murder of a law enforcement officer and related charges in Russell’s death and to additional drug delivery, firearm violations and other charges in an additional pending criminal case.

Weeks, who identified 105 potential trial witnesses, told Aikens in court that any efforts to withdraw his pleas will be met with objections.

“We will assert that we’re substantially prejudiced if he attempts to withdraw his pleas,” Weeks said.

President Judge Elizabeth Doyle, holding a questionnaire that Aikens completed, asked Aikens if he provided the handwritten answers about his guilty pleas to the criminal charges and potential penalties.

“Yes, ma’am,” Aikens answered.

Doyle also asked the handcuffed Aikens if he understood that he would have limited appeal rights after entering the guilty pleas. Aikens again said yes.

Weeks said that Aikens’ guilty pleas to second-degree murder and murder of a law enforcement officer each carry mandatory life-in-prison sentences.

On additional charges that include disarming a law enforcement officer, robbery, kidnapping, assault by a prisoner and firearm offenses, Weeks said he will recommend sentences adding up to 60 years, to be served at the same time as Aikens’ life sentences.

Doyle, after accepting Aikens’ pleas, dismissed about 150 jurors who were under consideration for his case.

In a statement released Monday, Weeks and First Assistant District Attorney Nichole Smith said they were prepared for trial, but pleased with Aikens’ decision to plead.

“It is our heartfelt hope that this conviction brings officer Russell’s family and friends some small measure of peace and comfort,” the prosecutors said.

On the day Russell was shot and killed, she had escorted inmates from the county prison to the Central Court building, where they were scheduled for preliminary hearings and related proceedings.

Aikens, who launched an escape attempt inside the building, attacked Russell and took her gun while forcing her into a room used as a holding cell.

Altoona Police Sgt. George Bistline, upon seeing Aikens holding Russell hostage inside the room, fired a shot meant for Aikens but struck Russell in her head.

While other police officers in the court building responded to the gunshot and rendered first aid to the bleeding Russell, she was transported to UPMC Altoona, where she was pronounced dead.

While Bistline died a few weeks later of natural causes, Weeks said he was prepared to bring in witnesses and offer evidence to show that when Bistline fired, Aikens lifted Russell and used her as a shield for his protection.

Weeks said the investigation by the state police Use of Force Review Team concluding that Bistline’s actions were justified, along with a closer examination of Russell’s gunshot wound, left him with no doubt that Aikens was responsible for Russell’s death.

“He quite literally used her to stop a bullet for him,” Weeks said. “Every piece of physical evidence supported that.”

Aikens, in an interview with investigating state troopers after the shooting, claimed that Bistline, 72, had no reason to fire his gun.

Weeks said the trial evidence included police officer body camera video of Bistline describing to other officers what he saw and what happened.

Corcoran said his client will have a chance to speak at his sentencing.

“He’s always maintained that she didn’t deserve what happened to her,” the defense attorney said.

Weeks and Smith, in their statement announcing Aikens’ entry of guilty pleas, also praised Russell and officers from five law enforcement agencies who responded to the shooting and provided medical attention and investigative support.

“Without law enforcement’s courage that day, including that of officer Russell, whose physical struggle with Mr. Aikens delayed him until other officers arrived, Mr. Aikens may never have been apprehended and held accountable for Officer Russell’s murder,” the prosecutors said.

Russell’s estate also has a pending civil rights lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Johnstown against Blair County, its prison personnel, sheriff personnel, the city of Altoona and Bistline’s estate, raising issues about her death. On the day of the shooting, Russell was, at the time, the lone corrections officer guarding several inmates including Aikens, who tried to escape from the prison a few days prior to being transported to Central Court. That information wasn’t relayed to Russell, according to the lawsuit.

Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 814-946-7456.