By Betsy Finklea
Bond was denied on Kyle Church on Monday, the man charged with the shooting death of Dr. Wendy Cook, the Stewart Heights Elementary School principal.
Church is charged with murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.
Assistant Solicitor Shipp Daniel said that Dr. Cook and her son and others went to a restaurant. Church, who Dr. Cook had a short-term relationship, showed up. She left with the defendant to get a ride home, Daniel said, and he took her to his house where he lives with his mother. Daniel said home surveillance shows Church get out of the vehicle, calmly walk about 25 yards and enter his home, return with a gun and calmly walk out and start shooting at the vehicle. Daniel said he fired multiple times at the car. He goes to the passenger side and shoots her in the chest, closes the door, and calls his mother and 9-1-1, Daniel said. He drives to the front yard, puts the gun on the roof, and waits on law enforcement, Daniel said. “It was an execution pure and simple,” Daniel said. He said it was not a “lovers quarrel” and it was not “self-defense.”
The defense attorney, Nathan Scales, said that Church is 31-years-old and unemployed. He is single with no children.
Scales said that if bond were set he could live with his mother or brother, who were present in the courtroom. He said the Church cooperated fully.
Church’s mother said that he had a “heart of gold” and was always there for people and wanted to help them get what they need. She said she wished that people knew about that side of him and not what has been portrayed in the media.
The brother said he was great with kids and Church had babysat his children on occasion. He said he always looked up to Church. He said if Church was granted bond they would make sure it was followed to the letter.
The victim’s mother then spoke and said there was more to this than was being told. She said she had never seen such a “cruel, evil man.” She said her daughter never hurt anyone and was trying to get away from him.
The victim’s sister also spoke. She said she and her sister had a wonderful relationship growing up and that she would never have a relationship with her again. She said Church took that from her and all of the family. She asked the judge not to let his family have what they would never have again.
After listening to the statements from both sides, the judge denied bond on Church.