A judge denied bail Friday to a man accused in the fatal Piggly Wiggly shooting

In his first court appearance, 28-year old Audrey Reece Odum , of 503 Scotland Street, Maxton, asked for a court-appointed attorney.

Odum is charged with first degree murder in the shooting-death of 35-year old Brian McLean of 818 Whiteville St.

Police believe the two were at odds over a woman – McLean was dating the mother of Odum's two children, ages 1 and 4.

Capt. Kimothy Monroe said that Odum told authorities that he thought McLean planned to hurt him.

"According to Mr. Odum, he had information that McLean was there to cause him harm," Monroe said. "He observed McLean walking towards the meat department."

Monroe said Odum pulled out a handgun and fired three shots at close range, striking McLean in the wrist, upper body and back.

McLean ran to the front of the store, where he collapsed, Lt. Chris Young said. He died at the scene.

No one else was injured.

Odum's next court appearance is scheduled for July 29.

Big Star Stabbing

The Thursday slaying, which attracted crowds in the street and regional media attention, also brought back memories to many of another murder that happened at the same location.

Before the grocery at 229 East Church Street was a Piggly Wiggly it was the Big Star Grocery.

On Nov. 1, 1980, Johnnie F. Hardy, then 30, allegedly stabbed his 24-year old estranged wife, Sue Ellen Keys Hardy, with an ice pick.

Sue Hardy was a cashier at the Big Star and the two had talked for a few minutes her register before witnesses say he began striking her in the head.

Sue was taken to Scotland Memorial Hospital, then transferred to Moore Regional Hospital, where she died a week later.

Johnnie Hardy pleaded guilty to the killing on April 21, after a psychiatrist deemed him competent to stand trial.

Mr. Hardy, who ran a barber shop before the slaying, was given a life sentence. He was paroled 2002.