Southport shooting suspect death penalty hearing continued

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY-TV) — Brunswick County man, Nigel Edge, appeared in court Friday morning in connection to the deadly Southport shooting that occurred in September.

Friday’s Rule 24 hearing was initially set for the court to determine whether the state intends to seek the death penalty, but Edge’s defense attorney requested the hearing be continued out of concern for Edge’s competency in court.

Edge was indicted on Jan. 5 on multiple charges including three counts of first-degree murder, discharging a firearm into an occupied property, two counts of attempted first-degree murder and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill or inflict serious injury.

According to District Attorney Jon David, Edge has already received two mental health evaluations that said Edge was incapable to proceed in court. One evaluation reports Edge is “unlikely to regain competency.”

In response to the defense attorney’s motion, the judge requested a state-appointed doctor to evaluate Edge at the Central Regional Hospital.

The district attorney’s office agreed Edge should receive an additional evaluation, despite their surprise to the motion stating there was ample notice before the hearing. David said the state evaluation would be a neutral and independent review.

Edge is scheduled for his next court appearance on Apr. 7 at 2 p.m. at the Brunswick County Courthouse.