An Ironton area man faces a maximum of 16 years in prison if he is convicted next week in connection with a shooting last year that left the victim in a wheelchair.

Floyd McCann, 51, of 38 Township Road 203 W. Ironton, is charged with felonious assault with a firearm specification and having a weapon under a disability. He is a convicted felon and as such is not supposed to have or use a gun.

He is accused of shooting Mark Robinson, 40, of 750 State Route 650, Ironton, once in the back with a .22 rifle in January 2009. Authorities said Robinson was struck once in the upper back as he walked along the roadway in front of his residence.

Robinson reportedly told authorities he had heard a noise outside his house and went to see what had happened when he was shot.

Authorities said McCann was under the influence of drugs when the incident took place.

McCann’s attorney, William Eachus, of Jackson, said he will present evidence that, “He didn’t do it. Obviously there was a bad accident. I think even the state’s evidence will show that.”

But Assistant Lawrence County Prosecutor Bob Anderson countered the evidence against McCann is substantial.

“Obviously we wouldn’t have sought an indictment if we could not prove beyond reasonable doubt he is guilty of all of the charges, including the most important one of all, the assault on Mr. Robinson,” Anderson said.

The trial will begin with jury selection Thursday, Feb. 4 before Lawrence County Common Pleas Judge D. Scott Bowling.

Both sides anticipate the trial will take two days.