A former Toledo police lieutenant pleaded not guilty today to charges he took part in a plan to shoot a woman who testified during a 2012 murder trial.

Frank Ramirez, 58, of 5925 Tetherwood Drive was arraigned before Lucas County Common Pleas Judge Gene Zmuda on charges of felonious assault with a firearm specification, obstructing justice, and tampering with evidence.

The charges stem from an ill-fated plan in which John Clarke , 45, and his wife, Maytee Vazquez-Clarke, 44, both of 429 Danberry St. allegedly tried to shoot Tiffany Williams Dec. 26. Ms. Williams had testified at the trials of two men charged with the 2011 murder of the Clarkes’ son, Johnny Clarke.

Mr. Ramirez, who retired last week from the police department after a 31-year career, is accused of helping to plan the shooting. The Clarkes each are charged with felonious assault for the incident, in which Ms. Williams was not injured.

Judge Zmuda continued the $100,000 bond already posted by Mr. Ramirez.

Mrs. Vazquez-Clarke also was to be arraigned today but her attorney, Jerome Phillips, said she is in the hospital for undisclosed reasons.

First Published February 25, 2015, 2:41 p.m.