A chronology of key events in the case against Robert Kenneth Stewart, the man charged with eight counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony assault in the Pinelake Health and Rehab massacre on Sunday, March 29, 2009.
Created by wralonline on Jul 8, 2011
Last updated: 11/24/11 at 07:45 PM
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The trial of Robert Stewart begins with opening statements.
July 27, 2011: The final juror is seated after 750 citizens were summoned for jury selection in nearby Stanly County.
http://www.wral.com/news/news_briefs/story/9917475/
Jul 11, 2011: Jury selection begins in Albemarle in Stanly County.
http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/9837839/
June 1, 2011: Superior Court Judge James Webb prohibits electronic media and still photography in any courtroom, hallway or lobby at any stage of the Stewart trial.
http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/9670773/
April 21, 2011: Moore County District Attorney Maureen Krueger removes herself from the case because she previously represented Stewart's mother.
http://www.wral.com/news/news_briefs/story/9482244/
March 18, 2011: The families of Louise DeKler, John Goldston, Margaret Johnson and Lillian Dunn filed a civil lawsuit against Pinelake Health and Rehab claiming negligence saying Wanda Stewart warned administrators of a possible attack by her estranged husband.
http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/9845639/
Oct. 15, 2010: Superior Court Judge James Webb denies a defense motion to change the venue, but rules the jury will come from another county.
Jan 20, 2010: Citing pre-trial publicity, Stewart's defense attorneys ask that his trial be held outside Moore County.
http://www.wral.com/news/news_briefs/story/6860768/
May 28, 2009: Prosecutors announce they will seek the death penalty against Stewart.
http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/5229014/
May 6, 2009: Carthage police Cpl. Justin Garner returns to work.
http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/5074758/
April 19, 2009: Pinelake Healthcare and Rehab Center holds a memorial to remember those who lost their lives March 29 in a deadly shooting and to honor those who kept the bloodshed from being worse.
http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/4983945/
April 13, 2009: Stewart is indicted on eight counts of murder, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, one count of assault with a firearm on a law enforcement officer, two counts of assault by pointing a gun and one count of discharging a weapon into occupied property.
http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/4943391/
April 4, 2009: Louise De Kler, 98, is laid to rest.
http://www.wral.com/news/news_briefs/story/4891798/
April 2, 2009: Jerry Avant Jr., 39, was shot more than two dozen times while trying to shield others from the gunman. He was laid to rest this day.
http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/4877164/
April 2, 2009: Funerals of three other victims – Lillian Dunn, 89, Bessie Hedrick, 78, and Margaret Johnson, 89 – were also held.
http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/4877164/
April 2, 2009: First Baptist Church in Carthage begins hosting a program every Thursday in April to help residents deal with their grief and loss.
http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/4881832/
April 1, 2009: Tessie S. Garner, 75, the first to be shot inside the home, was the first victim laid to rest.
http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/4859245/
April 1, 2009: The Carthage Town Board holds an emergency meeting in response to the recent shooting deaths.
March 31, 2009: Family members of the victims meet with local prosecutors about the case.
http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/4853069/
March 30, 2009: Stewart makes his first court appearance on eight counts of first-degree murder and a single charge of felony assault of a law enforcement officer.
http://www.wral.com/news/local/video/4845974/#/vid4845974
March 29, 2009: 10 – 10:15 a.m.: Stewart is accused of shooting 11 people at the nursing home. Seven patients and a nurse were killed. Neal, who is at the facility, survives by hiding in a bathroom inside a locked area for Alzheimer's patients.
http://www.wral.com/news/local/video/4864932/#/vid4864932
March 29, 2009: 10:15 a.m.: Carthage police Officer Justin Garner, responding to several 911 calls from Pinelake, stops the violence by shooting Stewart in the chest. He was the only officer on duty and went into the home without backup.
http://www.wral.com/news/state/story/4897437/
March 29, 2009: 10 a.m.: Police say Stewart enters Pinelake Health and Rehab armed with more than one weapon. Witnesses said he was shooting a "deer gun" and a shotgun.
http://www.wral.com/news/local/video/4839030/#/vid4839030
February 2009: Family members say Neal left Stewart in February 2009.
http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/4850212/
June 2002: Stewart and Neal reunited in June 2002 and married a second time.
July 1986: Stewart and Neal divorced in July 1986.
http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/4864328/
July 1983: Robert Kenneth Stewart (then 19) married Wanda Gay Neal (then 17) for the first time in July 1983.
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