Carrboro's former fire chief, facing felony stalking charges, will spend time in a state mental health hospital undergoing psychiatric evaluation, a Durham County superior court judge ruled Thursday.
Authorities picked up Rodney Murray from a detention center in Horry County, S.C., Wednesday for violating a protective order, a Durham police spokeswoman said. He had been undergoing treatment at a hospital there, but was released Tuesday.
The court issued warrants for Murray's arrest last month after he reportedly made more harassing phone calls to his former girlfriend, Gina Ambrosecchia. Murray had been out of jail for earlier misdemeanor charges, but violated the terms of his release when he allegedly contacted her.
In court Thursday, Durham County Assistant District Attorney Kendra Montgomery-Blin called Murray dangerous and said, "He's going to kill her if he gets out of jail again."
Murray's attorney, Butch Williams, refuted that statement, saying his client had never been violent toward Ambrosecchia.
Superior Court Judge David LaBarre ordered Murray to undergo a psychiatric evaluation at either John Umstead Hospital or Dorothea Dix.
LaBarre also restricted Murray's phone calls only to his lawyer.
A career firefighter with 25 years of service with the Chapel Hill Fire Department and a decade of service with the Carrboro Fire Department, Murray has been arrested a half-dozen times since December on misdemeanor charges related to allegedly harassing Ambrosecchia.
Murray resigned as fire chief in early January after his first arrest on stalking charges. His resignation became effective March 1.
With his next court appearance scheduled for April 26, Murray is being held under a $1.5 million bond.
Previous Stories:
- February 28, 2006: Warrant Issued For Outgoing Carrboro Fire Chief's Arrest
- February 17, 2006: Carrboro Fire Chief Out Of Jail
- February 8, 2006: Carrboro Fire Chief Sentenced To Substance Abuse Treatment Center
- February 1, 2006: Carrboro Fire Chief Found Guilty Of Violating Court Order
- January 27, 2006: Carrboro Fire Chief Still Drawing Salary While Jailed
- January 26, 2006: Carrboro Fire Chief In Jail Again On $1 Million Bond
- January 20, 2006: Carrboro Fire Chief Strikes Guilty Plea In Harassment Case
- January 13, 2006: Carrboro Fire Chief Arrested For Third Time
- January 9, 2006: Carrboro Fire Chief Resigns
- January 6, 2006: Carrboro Fire Chief In Trouble With IRS
- December 28, 2005: Carrboro Investigating Fire Chief After His Arrest
- December 27, 2005: Carrboro Fire Chief On Indefinite Sick Leave
- December 26, 2005: Carrboro Fire Chief Faces Multiple Charges
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