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Elderly Man Pleads Not Guilty To Shooting Ailing Wife

WESTMINSTER (AP) — 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 in Orange County Superior Court on Tuesday. 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 several suggested.

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.

(© Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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