PANAMA CITY — After spending about six months in a state hospital for mental health treatment, the man accused of shooting up a busy shopping center parking lot in an attempt to kill his former girlfriend is headed to trial.
Joseph Moody, 43, is accused of lying in wait for his ex, 24-year-old Megan Pettis, in the parking lot of a busy 23rd Street shopping center March 19 around midday. Pettis tried to flee in her car from Moody, who police said fired at least nine shots from a .45-caliber pistol until he ran out of ammunition and was beaten and detained by witnesses. Pettis was killed.
In August, Judge Michael Overstreet called it a close call when he determined Moody was incompetent for trial and ordered him to the hospital for treatment.
Moody waived a competency hearing Monday because two separate doctors who evaluated him found him competent, said Moody’s attorney, Rusty Shepard. Overstreet also scheduled Moody’s trial for first-degree murder with a firearm for April 21.
Moody was a Panama City firefighter who recently had returned to work after taking leave to seek treatment because of suicidal thoughts he was having after his relationship with Pettis ended. He had recurring major depression and also had been diagnosed with delusional disorder in the past, according to testimony from the hearing in August, and police who searched his home after Pettis was shot found a suicide note.
In the days and weeks before she was killed, Pettis told friends and family that Moody had threatened her and she was scared of what he might do.
Moody could face the death penalty if he’s convicted as charged. Prosecutors have not announced whether they would seek capital punishment.