A Roanoke Rapids man charged federally in Northampton County crimes has pleaded not guilty to the two counts he faces.

As of this report the trial for Michael Christopher Harris is set to commence in New Bern on July 11 at 1 p.m.

According to documents filed in the federal system Harris earlier this month consented to a magistrate arraignment and pleaded not guilty to counts 1 and 2 of his indictment — a charge he possessed ammunition while previously being convicted of a crime on November 21 of 2018 and the second that he possessed a firearm and ammo around April 3 of 2019.

Proceedings in his case were slowed due to a competency hearing held. Results of that hearing have been completed but are sealed from public inspection.

The only reference made in court documents to possible competency issues regarding Harris was made in a motion last year by which said he “continues to have concern regarding Mr. Harris’s competency, and needs to consult with additional experts to determine the extent of damage caused to Mr. Harris’ brain when he sustained a gunshot wound to his head on April 3, 2019.”

At the completion of his arraignment this month before District Judge Louise Wood Flagan, Harris was returned to the custody of the United States Marshals Service.

The federal indictment warrants stem from two separate shooting investigations that took place in Northampton County on November 21 of 2018 and April 3 of 2019.