BEULAVILLE — A Duplin County man killed another man earlier this week out of love for his wife, not hatred of the man with whom she was having an affair, a defense attorney said in court Friday.
Max Turner, 52, is charged with an open count of murder in the shooting death of 51-year-old Graham Jamie Fountain. Turner is accused of shooting Fountain in the heart at close range late Tuesday in downtown Beulaville while Fountain sat in a Chevy Tahoe driven by Turner’s wife.
Lawyers argued Friday morning in a packed courthouse whether Turner should be given a bond. Most of those present were family, friends or supporters of Turner. His wife, Lisa Turner, did not appear to be in the courtroom.
District Attorney Ernie Lee told N.C. District Court Judge Jim Moore that no bond should be set since Turner likely faces a first-degree murder count. Lee said the evidence would show at trial that Turner’s alleged crime was premeditated.
Turner had hired a private investigator to keep track of his wife’s whereabouts, according to court officials familiar with the case.
Representing Turner, Kenansville lawyer Tim Smith told the judge a reasonable bond amount should be set. Smith said Turner loved his wife, which led him to kill Fountain.
Smith added that Turner was arrested without incident.
A police officer was involved in a traffic stop near the scene and responded after hearing the gunshots. Turner surrendered to him, police have previously said.
Smith provided two character witnesses who testified that Turner was an upstanding local businessman. Turner owns a large tobacco farm in Albertson.
After a nearly two-hour hearing, the judge denied bond in the case. Turner’s next court date has not been set.
You can reach Lindell Kay at 910-219-8455 or lindell.kay@jdnews.com. Follow him on Twitter and friend him on Facebook @ 1lindell.
