Paternity may have played role in shooting

By EMILY SCOTT (escott@reviewonline.com)
NEW CUMBERLAND— Charles William Rice was ordered by Chief Judge Martin Gaughan of the First Judicial Circuit to submit to a cheek swab at his hearing Monday in order to gather DNA evidence.

Rice was arrested March 22 for allegedly shooting girlfriend Sherry Paris, who died of a single gunshot wound to the head. In addition to the charge of first degree murder, Rice was also charged with wanton endangerment with a firearm because Paris’ infant daughter was in the apartment at the time of the shooting, either in her mother’s lap or very close by according to police.

Defense attorney Bill Brogan did not immediately agree to Hancock County prosecuting attorney Jim Davis’ request for the DNA sample, saying, “We recognize the request is not excessively intrusive,” but that he did not see the purpose for it.

Davis responded that there were two reasons, including the fact that DNA had already been collected from Paris and her daughter and that if evidence came from an unknown person, it could hold up results.

“There may be an issue that relates to motive,” Davis said, adding that a paternity test was to be conducted.

When asked if that motive may have been Rice discovering that Paris’ daughter was not his biological child, Davis said, “It’s possible.”

Rice’s court date has been set for August 25.