88 year old Roy Charles Laird is accused of shooting his 86 year old wife. (Seal Beach Police Department) |
SEAL BEACH ( KTLA) -- An 88-year-old man pleaded not guilty Tuesday to murder in the shooting death of his ailing 86-year-old wife at a Seal Beach convalescent home.
Roy Charles Laird was charged Tuesday with one felony count of murder, with a sentencing enhancement for use of a firearm causing death.
Laird of Seal Beach allegedly walked into Country Villa Healthcare Center on Nov. 21 and shot his 86-year-old wife, Clara, in the head while she was lying in bed.
The couple's daughter called the incident a "mercy killing."
When authorities entered the facility, they were directed to a room where they found Clara, her husband and a .38-caliber revolver, Seal Beach police Sgt. Steve Bowles said.
Laird calmly handed over the gun, according to authorities.
Clara suffered from dementia and terminal pancreatic cancer.
The shooting came one month before the couple's 70th anniversary.
Laird faces a maximum of 50 years to life in prison if convicted.
Roy Charles Laird was charged Tuesday with one felony count of murder, with a sentencing enhancement for use of a firearm causing death.
Laird of Seal Beach allegedly walked into Country Villa Healthcare Center on Nov. 21 and shot his 86-year-old wife, Clara, in the head while she was lying in bed.
The couple's daughter called the incident a "mercy killing."
When authorities entered the facility, they were directed to a room where they found Clara, her husband and a .38-caliber revolver, Seal Beach police Sgt. Steve Bowles said.
Laird calmly handed over the gun, according to authorities.
Clara suffered from dementia and terminal pancreatic cancer.
The shooting came one month before the couple's 70th anniversary.
Laird faces a maximum of 50 years to life in prison if convicted.
