A frail-looking 88-year-old man brought to court in a wheelchair has pleaded not guilty to murder in the shooting of his ill wife at a Southern California nursing home.
Roy Charles Laird entered the plea Tuesday in Orange County Superior Court. He is charged with one count of murder, with a sentencing enhancement allegation of use of a firearm causing death.
Judge Steven D. Bromberg has agreed to release Laird to a locked-down, full-time care facility, but has yet to approve of one.
Police say that on Nov. 21, Laird handed over a revolver at a Seal Beach nursing home after his 86-year-old wife Clara was found shot in the head.
Clara Laird had suffered years of debilitating dementia and declining health.
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