Judge rules murder suspect competent to stand trial
BURGAW, NC (StarNewsOnline) — A judge ruled Friday that a man accused in a 2012 killing in Wilmington, as well as the killing of a witness in the case, is competent to stand trial.
Nashid Porter, 38, is charged with first-degree murder, discharging a weapon into an occupied structure and being a felon in possession of a firearm in the July 27, 2012, shooting death of Brian Grant, 32, in Creekwood. Porter will stand trial for the killing of state’s witness Obediah Hester, 27, on Nov. 12, 2014, after the Grant case. Hester’s death came just days before the murder trial in the Grant killing was originally to begin.
The competency hearing in the Grant case was held in Pender County after a change of venue was granted. The hearing was set after Porter’s former capital defender, Nora Hargrove, filed a motion questioning his ability to assist in his defense.
Leave a Reply