A Port Byron man accused of attempting to assault a Wayne County Sheriff's Office deputy rejected a plea deal offered to him in Cayuga County Court Tuesday that would have required him to serve a minimum of 3.5 years in prison.

Dale Rigby, 39, of 3 Bells Way, Port Byron, said he did not want to plead guilty to the intentional act of attempting to hit the deputy, but would consider a lesser charge of reckless conduct.

Rigby is accused of leading Wayne County Sheriff's Office deputies on a high-speed chase that started in that county and ended in Cayuga County on East Lake Road, in Conquest, on March 17.

During the chase Rigby allegedly drove his van onto a dead-end road, turned around and attempted to hit Wayne County Sheriff Deputy George Lorenz, authorities said.

Police records indicate Lorenz fired nine shots at the van as it drove in his direction, striking two tires causing Rigby to lose control of the vehicle. A K-9 unit then subdued Rigby after he allegedly attempted to escape the scene by foot, police said.

James Hopkins, Rigby's attorney, said his client was not denying any wrongdoing, he just denied the allegations that he intended to strike the officer. Hopkins also pointed out that his client's case had not been in front of a grand jury for an indictment.

"We are not saying he is blameless, just that he never intended to strike to officer," Hopkins said. "The ball is in the DA's court now. I hope they will reconsider our position."

If the Cayuga County District Attorney's Office rejected the request for a lesser charge, the case could go before a grand jury, which would decide if there was enough evidence to indict Rigby on the attempted assault.

For more from Tuesday's court calendar, read Wednesday's edition of The Citizen.