TORRINGTON – Jaedan Redder, of Torrington, has pleaded not guilty to a single felony count of aggravated battery and will stand trial, accused of shooting a Torrington man in the stomach in December. 

Redder appeared in the Eighth Judicial District Court on Friday for his arraignment. Redder wore the standard Goshen County Detention Center uniform and other than confirming to Judge Patrick Korell that he understood his charges and entering his plea, Redder was silent throughout the proceeding.  

After he made his plea, Goshen County Deputy Attorney Jeremiah Sandburg and Redder’s defense attorney, Chris Humphrey, jointly asked Korell to amend Redder’s bond. 

Redder’s bond was originally set at $25,000 cash or surety, but the attorneys recommended reducing that amount to 10 percent of $10,000, or $1,000. 

“In discussions with Mr. Sandburg, we jointly recommend 10 percent of $10,000,” Humphrey said. “It would be a structured release.”

The terms of the bond will require Redder to continue counseling that he started at the Goshen County Detention Center. He will also need to complete a substance abuse evaluation and report to the GCDC every day for drug screening. He is not permitted to leave Goshen County or have any contact with the victim in the case, nor any eyewitnesses. 

The amended bond was eventually approved, but Korell questioned the reason for the dramatic reduction. 

“I have to ask about the strength of the state’s evidence,” Korell said. “These are serious charges and I have to question why you want to modify the bond?”

Sandburg asked to approach the bench, due to the presence of a Torrington Telegram correspondent, but Korell said the meeting is an open record. 

“The state has considered the strength of its evidence. That’s why we recommend the bond amendment,” Sandburg said. 

Sandburg also said the prosecution is having difficulty communicating with Redder’s alleged victim, Austen Peters. Humphrey told the court his investigator has interviewed Peters, and that Peters stated he believes the shooting was accidental. 

“We have interviewed the victim, and it is my understanding he believes it to be an accident,” Humphrey said. 

Korell warned Redder to abide by the terms set forth in the bond agreement, or he could land behind bars again before his trial. 

“Mr. Redder, you will have to follow all conditions of the bond if it is posted,” Korell said.

“You’re to have no drugs or alcohol. You will need to report daily to the sheriff’s office. You’re not to have contact with the folks mentioned in your bond, direct or indirectly – such as reaching out through third parties. If this is violated I will revoke your bond and you’ll stay incarcerated until your trial.”

Redder was still incarcerated in the GCDC as of press time.

According to the Affidavit of Probable Cause filed in the case, a pair of witnesses told the Torrington Police Department they saw Redder allegedly put the gun to his victim’s head before the victim was shot in the stomach. 

“(The witnesses) said they were in the room wand witnessed, personally, Austen Peters being shot by Jaedan Redder,” the affidavit said. “Both said they watched Jaeden put the gun to Austin’s head while Austin was seated. Both said Austin grabbed the gun and pulled it to his stomach. Both said the gun went off and Austin was shot.”

The affidavit said one witness told the police that he and two others drove to the country and threw the gun out of the vehicle. 

“I drove (the witness) to the area and he was able to point out where the gun was thrown from the vehicle.

“The firearm was located. It was a Glock 19 with a tan slide and black grip.”