STONE MOUNTAIN, GA — Former DeKalb County police officer Russell Mathis is set to appear in court on Wednesday afternoon for a plea hearing in connection with the fatal shooting of Marando Salmon.

Prosecutors say Mathis and another officer entered Salmon’s home after responding to calls about a stolen vehicle. Once inside, Salmon was shot while sitting in his bed.

Mathis faces charges of involuntary manslaughter and reckless conduct. He claims he believed a phone thrown at him by Salmon was a knife.

The plea hearing is scheduled at 1 p.m. as the court considers the next steps in the case.