Defense: Move accused nursing home shooter

Carthage, N.C. — A defense attorney for the man accused of killing eight people at a Moore County nursing home wants the suspect housed at a state prison rather than the local jail.

Robert Kenneth Stewart, 46, was shot in the chest by Cpl. Justin Garner, 25, ending a shooting rampage at the Pinelake Health and Rehabilitation Center in Carthage on March 29, 2009. Seven patients and a nurse were killed.

Stewart was held at Central Prison, which has a medical center for inmates, for 9½ months while being treated for his wound. He was moved to the Moore County Jail two weeks ago.

Defense attorney Jonathan Megerian said that Stewart received better care and is safer at Central Prison.

A hearing on Megerian's motion that was scheduled for Friday in Moore County Superior Court was postponed.

A spokesman for the Moore County Sheriff's Office said that there is no threat to Stewart inside the jail and that Stewart would be safe there. Holding Stewart in Raleigh would be more costly, because he would have to be transported back to Moore County for hearings.

The defense has also asked for the a change of venue for the trial, in which prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. A hearing on that motion is set for May 10.

Authorities have not offered a motive for the slayings, but Stewart's estranged wife, Wanda Stewart, a Pinelake employee working that morning, said she believed Stewart was looking for her.

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Latest Comments

The guy is guilty, he was shot in the act of the crime. What fool is not going to find him guilty.

G-man
February 5, 2010 2:26 p.m.

It is sickening that time and resources are being further wasted on debating this man's level of care or safety for that matter. I agree with the posters who say that jail/prison should be returned to a place that no one wants to be. As long as all ones needs are met why want to be on the outside and have to behave and work for a living?

Glass Half Full
February 5, 2010 2:00 p.m.

awe, poor baby isnt comfy where he's at now? boo hoo. how comfy are his victims?

MileageWarrior
February 5, 2010 12:54 p.m.

Sure makes crime attractive to the homeless and hungry doesn't it. To know the state will go out of their way to see you get a comfortable place to stay and all the conveniences of home.

aintbackingdwn
February 5, 2010 12:28 p.m.

Obviously he did these crimes.. There is no dowbt that he was the shooter.. so why should he get preference about which prison is safer??? Prisons aren't supposed to be safe for inmates. They SHOULD be places that people fear going to and then maybe this crime nonsense will drop!!!

swtpea44
February 5, 2010 10:35 a.m.