Wheatland murder suspect appears for an initial court hearing

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A judge has set a  June 14th trial date in the case of a Wheatland woman charged with murder.

During an initial hearing this morning in Knox Superior Court One, a preliminary plea of Not Guilty was entered by the court on behalf of 39-year-old Candice Rae Charlton.

She is facing one count of murder in the death of 35-year-old Gerald Sturgeon of Wheatland.

Charlton is accused of stabbing Sturgeon with a knife during a fight February 5th at 213 Short Street in Wheatland.

Knox County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call of a family fight at the residence and found Sturgeon outside the home when they arrived. Sturgeon was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital where he died from the wounds inflicted during the fight.

Charlton was arrested at the scene. She is being held in the Knox County Jail.

The court appointed Bryan Jewel and Andrew Kopatich to represent Charlton. A pre-trial hearing is set for May 20th.

If convicted Charlton faces a maximum of 60 years in prison.