CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Defense attorneys representing the man who struck and killed a beloved waitress in 2016 are trying to get critical evidence thrown out in his case.
Gregory Wheeling Jr. is facing charges of second-degree murder and driving while impaired in the death of Kelly Putnam.
His father took the stand Monday and got emotional as he described how his son broke the news of the accident.
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“He said, ‘Dad, I’m standing in front of a police car. A girl ran out in front of my car. I hit her and she passed,’” Gregory Wheeling Sr. said.
The incident happened in South End along South Boulevard as Putnam and her fiance were walking home from a Carolina Panthers game.
Defense attorney George Laughrum said Wheeling was not allowed to get an independent blood alcohol level test and the magistrate didn’t give him a bond.
Haley Wheeling, the suspect’s sister, was at the jail when her brother was being processed. She said she asked deputies about an independent test.
“'How am I going to get the independent blood test?' and he said, ‘You’re not,’” Haley said.
The Sheriff’s Office has a policy that would grant such a test, but the sister said deputies never informed her and she didn’t learn about it until a month ago when she talked to her attorney.
The hearing will resume Tuesday.
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