New Trial For Kanawha County Woman

{Charleston, West Virginia}...Rhonda Stewart was convicted in the June 13, 2009 death of her estranged husband Sammy Stewart after police say she fatally shot him while he was in an intensive care unit at Charleston Area Medical Center. Stewart wanted to use battered wife syndrome as a defense, but the trial court would not allow such evidence. In December 2011, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals granted her a new trial, ruling that the trial court abused its discretion in not allowing Stewart to present evidence of battered wife syndrome during the trial. A motion for a psychiatric evaluation was granted during a hearing Friday. A new trial is set for June 4th. Motions in the new case must be made by April 2nd. Stewart was released on a $150,000 personal recognizance bond and is on home confinement until the trial.