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Glen Bogart is back at work at his Medford auto-detailing business since being shot and wounded by a fellow deer hunter Oct. 1. (Mail Tribune / Jim Craven)
Glen Bogart stands in the driveway of his auto-detailing business, drawing in the sights and sounds of downtown Medford to which once he was quite oblivious.
Instead of being immersed in work, he watches Central Avenue's cars and pedestrians while tapping the fingers on his mangled left arm, a constant reminder that he was almost gone.
Shot and wounded by a fellow deer hunter Oct. 1 near Howard Prairie Lake, Bogart slowly continues to improve as the felony case against 36-year-old shooter Cole Reeves heats up in Medford.
While the bullet hole in his back is healing, Bogart's left arm is 2 1/2 inches shorter now.
He has limited feeling in his thumb and index finger, and none in the remaining three fingers. Half of his biceps muscle is gone.
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"It's tough realizing you're not going to be the same person for a long time," he says.
While Bogart pondered his future Thursday morning at his shop, Reeves was eight blocks away beginning his route through the court system in this case.
Reeves pleaded not guilty to a single felony charge of third-degree assault Thursday during his initial appearance in Jackson County Circuit Court.
A Jackson County grand jury indicted Reeves on the single charge based on a decision that Reeves acted recklessly when he shot and missed at a deer after failing to identify any potential dangers within the bullet's path.
The bullet traveled more than 100 feet before tearing into Bogart's back and exiting through his now-withered arm.
Reeves is the first Oregonian in a decade to face a felony assault charge for what was initially labeled as a hunting accident.
Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Raymond White ordered Reeves to reappear Jan. 8 for a pretrial hearing, and White ordered Reeves not to contact Bogart.
Reeves and Bogart did not know each other, but Bogart waved to Reeves when the two passed on the forest road where Bogart was shot, he says. The pair have not spoken, Bogart says.
Reeves was later booked at the Jackson County Jail and released on his own recognizance.
Bogart, who was unaware of Reeves' court appearance, says he's far too busy in day-to-day struggles to get caught up in Reeves' criminal prosecution.
"The case is something that's out of my hands, so I can't think about that," Bogart says. "I have enough to worry about. I can't button my pants. I can't tie my shoes."
Bogart, who has no health insurance, has hired an attorney he did not identify to deal with his mounting medical bills. Bogart says his focus is the future.
This past week he has returned to work, managing a few hours of supervising employees spit-shining used cars for show on local lots.
He stops to chat with employees. Customers come calling, many with offers of support. One man even paid this month's rent.
"It feels good to get back down here to see the guys, and the customers," Bogart says.
Slowly weaning himself off medication, the doe-eyed stare from his month-long hospital stay is replaced by a more pensive look. His left arm hangs against his side, his hand in a flesh-colored glove and his wrist supported by a brace.
"I can't feel this, I can't feel this," Bogart says, tapping his three fingers that, strangely he can still wiggle. "Scary."
He pushes his body through grueling two-hour physical therapy sessions. He wants to double up on the every-other-day sessions, but doctors says his body can't handle it.
So the stubborn Bogart works his fingers and hand himself during the day, trying to push and twist a little more strength into those numb fingers.
"I try to do everything myself, but it's just not the same," he says.
Reach reporter Mark Freeman at 776-4470, or e-mail mfreeman@mailtribune.com.
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