Suspect in attempted murder of psychiatric nurse ruled fit for trial
A would-be patient of a local psychiatric hospital accused of trying to snap the neck of an intake nurse has been deemed fit to proceed to trial, according to court documents
By ZACK McDONALD News Herald Reporter
PANAMA CITY — A would-be patient of a local psychiatric hospital accused of trying to snap the neck of an intake nurse has been deemed fit to proceed to trial, according to court documents.
Spencer Alan Woodside, 25, appeared in court Monday to be arraigned on a charge of attempted second-degree murder. He was arrested after an August incident at Emerald Coast Behavioral Hospital at 1940 Harrison Ave. when he allegedly attacked a nurse. Authorities reported that during a confrontation, Woodside grabbed a nurse and attempted to break her neck, court records indicated.
Woodside’s legal counsel filed a motion, notifying the court of the results from an expert evaluation of his mental health, which is confidential. From those reports, though, the court deemed Woodside fit to continue. He entered a plea of not guilty Monday during his first arraignment and waived his right to a speedy trial.
Why Woodside was being admitted into the hospital remains unclear.
Panama City Police Department initially responded to a call Aug. 26 regarding a battery. Several staff members had Woodside restrained in the hospital at about 11:30 a.m. after he allegedly attacked a nurse, according to police reports.
PCPD reported Woodside had become irate and came up from behind an intake nurse and wrapped his right arm around her throat. Woodside then pulled the nurse away from a door and backed into a corner of the room, police reported.
The nurse began to scream for help, and Woodside allegedly tried to break her neck, officers said.
“When the victim began to scream, (Woodside) placed his left hand on the top of the victim’s head and began to twist her head to the right in an attempt to break her neck,” PCPD reported. “While in the presence of an officer (Woodside) made the spontaneous utterance that he was trying to kill her.”
The nurse also told police she felt Woodside aimed to kill her.
Three staff members were able to free the nurse, subdue Woodside and call the police. He was taken to jail on a count of attempted second-degree murder. Woodside is being held on a bond of $150,000.