No contest plea in Christmas Eve shooting

OSHKOSH - The Winnebago County man accused of shooting his brother-in-law last Christmas Eve appeared in court Monday.

Christopher Andreas, 25, says he is not guilty because of mental disease. He is facing four counts of recklessly endangering safety with use of a dangerous weapon.

In the Oshkosh courtroom Monday, Christopher Andreas pleaded no contest to the facts of his case, but he still says he's technically not guilty.

"He understands that he's not challenging the factual portion, just the NGI," said his attorney Colleen Bradley.

NGI is short for not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect.

Winnebago County District Attorney Christian Gossett explained Andreas' plea saying, "The defendant has admitted factually what he did, so they're not contesting that. The question is going to be: could he appreciate what was happening at the time he committed the offense? Was he aware of the consequences?"

According to the criminal complaint, Andreas shot his brother-in-law Christopher Garland last Christmas Eve. Garland is now paralyzed from the waist down. The complaint said Andreas also shot into another home where his family members were gathered.

The defendant does have a history of mental illness and is currently receiving treatment for schizophrenia.

So did Andreas know he was doing something wrong that day?

Gossett told FOX 11 two doctors will try to answer that question.

"The doctors will evaluate the defendant under the NGI standards and report back to the court and attorneys with their findings on whether the defendant was or was not NGI," said Gossett.

After that the judge will decide whether there will be more testing or a trial to make the ultimate decision.

Andreas' sister Nicole Garland and her husband declined to speak with us on camera Monday, but they've told us in the past they forgive Andreas.

"You have the tragedy that this is one family, extended family on both sides and dealing with all of this and a long history of mental illness. So it's been difficult. I feel bad for everyone involved," said Gossett.

Andreas could face a maximum of 12 and a half years in prison, or up to 50 years in a mental health facility. That depends on the outcome of the case.