A Canton man accused of shooting a hospital employee has entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity in Stark County Common Pleas Court.
James L. Fair, 35, is facing charges of felonious assault and aggravated robbery stemming from a June 27 incident at Aultman Hospital. He entered the plea July 18 before Judge Frank G. Forchione.
Fair, who was a patient at the time of the shooting, allegedly became emotionally distressed and took a firearm from a hospital security officer. He is accused of using the weapon to shoot a 31-year-old patient care technician in the abdomen before firing at the officer.
Defense attorney Eugene O’Byrne has requested mental health evaluations to determine Fair’s competency to stand trial and assess his psychological condition at the time of the offense. According to court documents, communication challenges between Fair and his attorney have raised concerns about his ability to participate in legal proceedings.
Following the shooting, hospital staff subdued Fair and secured the weapon. He remains in custody at the Stark County Jail on a $1 million bond.
