Former Olympian detained for trial

A judge declined to release a former Olympic equestrian charged with shooting and wounding a woman at his training center, while the man’s lawyer claimed he was the target of threats and harassment by the victim and her fiance.

Michael Barisone is charged with two counts of attempted murder in the shooting last week at his farm in western New Jersey where he trains horses and riders.

The 54-year-old appeared in court with his left arm in a sling, the result of a confrontation with the fiance, who wrestled him to the ground after Barisone allegedly shot at him, too, but missed.

Since New Jersey eliminated cash bail, prosecutors must show why defendants charged with some crimes should not be released pending trial.

State Superior Court Judge Stephen Taylor said Wednesday that Barisone still poses a danger to others and possibly to himself. He noted police reports that Barisone kept repeating, “I had a good life” as he was being arrested.

“That’s a rather fatalistic statement on his part, and one that is troubling to the court,” Taylor said.

Police had been called several times to the home in the 10 days leading to the shooting, according to a criminal complaint.

An attorney for Barisone referred several times to the victims as “the alleged victims” and said they were the ones who threatened and harassed Barisone, who had made several calls to police.

The woman is in intensive care at Morristown Medical Center, Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Schellhorn told the judge.