EDGARD — A March 25 trial date is set for the LaPlace Feed & Supply burglary-turned-homicide that claimed the life of Steven Finckbeiner in February 2014.

Entering the court hearing Thursday afternoon in Edgard, more than a dozen of Steven’s family and friends were fired up at the prospect of another year of trial delay.

The overall mood of the group, which included Steven’s widow, Connie Finckbeiner, quickly mellowed as hope for a resolution emerged.

Mental competency of defendant Charles McQuarter III, the alleged shooter in the homicide, was in question when the defense presented a motion for mental examination and the appointment of sanity commission late Thursday morning.

If approved, the motion would have halted the criminal prosecution until the defendant was found to have the mental capacity to proceed.

In May 2014, a St. John the Baptist Parish Grand Jury indicted McQuarter and Dracier Dewey, both 22-year-old Reserve residents at the time, for their alleged involvement in the LaPlace Feed Store killing.

Steven and Connie Finckbeiner, married owners of the feed store, were the victims of a Feb. 25, 2014, attack that left Steven dead by gunfire and Connie bleeding at the scene from a gunshot wound to the head.

In a Wednesday evening email to defense attorney Lisa Parker of the St. John the Baptist Parish Public Defenders Office, Dr. Sarah DeLand of Tulane Medical Center said she became concerned with McQuarter’s competency to proceed with trial during a Dec. 19 mental evaluation.

“During that evaluation, I became quite concerned that due to his (McQuarter’s) intellectual limitations, he is not able, at this time, to effectively assist you in preparing a consistent and reasonable defense, nor is he able to help you locate and examine witnesses,” DeLand wrote in the email.

Judge J. Sterling Snowdy denied the motion, ruling the email record a “non-determinative statement” lacking specific evidence of incompetency.

Snowdy said the defense is allowed to pursue mental evaluations at their own discretion.

“Given the amount of time this case has been pending, you should not put the brakes on it,” Snowdy said.

Parker said McQuarter’s plea would remain “not guilty” and not be changed to “not guilty by reason of insanity,” for the time being.

She added McQuarter’s full mental evaluation report was not available as of Thursday, though DeLand indicated it could become available as early as next week.

During the hearing, Snowdy also denied the defense’s motion for a change of venue. He agreed to re-evaluate the need for relocation from Edgard if it becomes apparent McQuarter cannot obtain an unbiased jury in St. John Parish.

Prosecuting attorney Lea Hall Jr. said the case is “sailing forward very nicely” toward trial.

“It was a good resolution of the outstanding matters that were left to be dealt with,” Hall said. “I think what you’re seeing is the family’s happiness that a conclusion looks like it’s on the horizon. I’m happy for them, too. They don’t have many days in court like this given what type of case it is.”

Steven’s sister Fay Finckbeiner St. Germain previously stated the five-year trial delay was evidence of a corrupted justice system skewed toward the rights of the accused.

St. Germain and family friend Rosemary Correia both left feeling a sense of relief.

“I feel very hopeful for change,” Correia said. “I’m feeling more hopeful for the victims finally.”

Volunteer victims advocate Ed Conran was “surprised” at the outcome and 180-degree twist that led to a trial date, and Connie Finckbeiner said she left “feeling better.”

Parker was not available for further comment as of press time Friday morning.

Background

According to St. John Parish Sheriff Mike Tregre at a press conference held after the killing, two armed men entered LaPlace Feed and Supply on Feb. 25, 2014, and opened fire before fleeing with the store’s cash register.

Tregre said the men inquired about shots for a dog. The men allegedly exited the store and re-entered almost immediately, when “things went very bad, very quickly,” according to Tregre.

A gunman fired a number of shots and fled the scene on foot, cash register in hand.

Steven died at the scene, and Connie was treated for gunshot wounds.

Dewey contacted authorities and confessed his involvement in the armed robbery and killing in the same week, police said. Charged with being a principal to second degree murder and attempted first degree murder, Dewey is being held at the Madison Parish Correctional Center.

Dewey’s confession indicated McQuarter was the shooter, leading to a judicial court-ordered warrant for his arrest. McQuarter turned himself into the U.S. Marshalls Fugitive Task Force soon after and professed his innocence as he was taken into custody.

Charged with first degree murder and attempted first degree murder, McQuarter is being held at the St. Charles Parish Correctional Facility.

In 2012, McQuarter was booked with attempted second degree murder and illegal use of a weapon.

McQuarter and Dewey pleaded not guilty to charges.