Stafford son charged with mother's murder
A man is due to stand trial for the murder of his mother in Stafford three years ago.
Joseph Gray faces an allegation of killing 47-year-old professional child minder Susan Gray at her home on October 27, 2011. She had been shot in the face at point-blank range.
Mrs Gray was discovered by a neighbour, who had a key, at the foot of the stairs in her home in Oxford Gardens at around 8am after one of her child-minding customers arrived at the house but received no answer. It is believed she was shot in the early hours of the morning.
Gray, of no fixed abode, was arrested later that day. He was initially charged with her murder but ruled unfit to plead.
The 25-year-old, formerly of Sandyford Court, Stafford, was diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic with a history of mental problems. He was detained in a secure hospital indefinitely.
Today, Crown Prosecution Service spokesman Vinny Bolina confirmed that Gray was now deemed fit to plead.
He said a date would now be fixed at Stafford Crown Court for a plea haring.
