Local native’s fianc killed in NC

Charlotte Observer

CHARLOTTE, N.C.

A Charlotte law-school student accused of killing a man who was engaged to a Mahoning Valley native by shoving him into traffic outside a Dilworth bar was defending his girlfriend, his attorney said Monday.

Police charged Kenan Wells Gay, 23, with first- degree murder after he reportedly pushed Robert Kingston III, of Charlotte N.C., in front of a moving car Saturday night.

Kingston, whose parents live in Columbus, was set to wed Keri McIntyre, now of Charlotte, N.C., Aug. 4 at Zion Lutheran Church in New Middletown, according to Vindicator files.

Authorities have said an altercation inside the bar, Ed’s Tavern, spilled outside the building, but they have never explained what started the dispute.

On Monday, defense attorney Christopher Fialko told reporters that Gay reacted when Kingston “put his hands” on Gay’s girlfriend. Gay tried to pull Kingston away from the woman, Fialko said.

“It is unfortunate” the altercation occurred a short distance from the street, Fialko said. Asked whether his client should be charged with first-degree murder, he said no.

Also Monday, Alan Cole, owner of Ed’s Tavern, said he is turning over a surveillance video to police that shows Kingston leaning to speak with a female patron. Moments later, Cole said, the video shows Gay grabbing the man by the collar and taking him out of the bar.

Cole, who was in the bar the night of the incident, said Kingston was smiling and did not resist Gay.

“When they hit the doorway, Mr. Gay’s face changed and he started walking faster,” Cole said. “There was no pause. We were like ‘Oh My God! They’re going to fight.’”

Gay, a Charlotte School of Law student and former UNC football player, made his first appearance in court Monday. After listening to objections from prosecutors, District Judge Karen Eady-Williams rejected a request from Gay’s attorney for a bond hearing this week and instead set it for March 14.