Travonce Backie, 34, through defense attorney Ty Graham, filed a motion to change his plea to both not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity.
A hearing is set for June in Stark County Common Pleas Court.
What happened to Canton's Ralph White?
Backie is accused of beating a 85-year-old Ralph White when two vehicles collided around 10:39 p.m. in the 2600 block of Eighth Street NE on Feb. 27. White said he was beaten while still in his vehicle. He was hospitalized with multiple injuries later treated and released.
According to police, Backie fled and was arrested by U.S. Marshals, with the assistance of the Canton Police K-9 unit, on March 2. He was released from probation five weeks earlier, having served 10 years in prison for an aggravated burglary conviction.