Opening statements kicked off Thursday in the case involving a Cheektowaga man who’s facing a number of charges for allegedly attacking a female Chautauqua County Sheriff’s deputy.

But before statements were heard, Spectrum News reported that a plea deal was on the table for Justin Haffa, the 22-year-old who is facing a first-degree attempted murder charge. Haffa rejected the plea deal of 17 years.

District Attorney Patrick Swanson and Public Defender Ned Barone told The Post-Journal that opening statements and one witness was called in the first day of trial. Swanson and Barone both declined to further comment regarding the day’s proceedings, including the plea deal, due to the sensitivity of the case.

In addition to the attempted murder charge, Haffa is also facing first-degree robbery and attempted aggravated assault on a police officer, which are felonies. Haffa is facing 25-years-to-life in prison, if convicted.

During the early morning hours of Sept. 11, the sheriff’s office responded to a vehicle crash on Route 60 in the town of Pomfret. The deputy who responded to the scene began to conduct a field sobriety test on Haffa when he allegedly became combative, pinned her to the ground and injured her with a knife.

Haffa also allegedly wrestled the deputy’s gun away before fleeing the scene. A short time later, Haffa was located and apprehended.

Multiple drugs, including Xanax, marijuana and a bottle of DXM — a cough medicine that can become hallucinogenic in high doses — were reportedly what caused Haffa to crash.

The trial resumes today at the courthouse with the Hon. David Foley presiding.