Evans makes first court appearance

By Mandy Zatynski

A Statesville woman facing four charges of first-degree murder made her first appearance in Iredell County Superior Court on Tuesday.

Barbara Evans, 65, is charged in connection with the Jan. 21, 2005, shooting deaths of James and Delet Powell and the Sept. 16, 2005, deaths of Don and Sue Barker.

Superior Court Judge Mark Klass scheduled a Rule 24 conference for Nov. 27. At the conference, the judge will decide if the prosecutors can seek the death penalty.

Evans did not speak during her brief appearance. She sat emotionless next to Mark Rabil, an assistant capital defender who is representing her, in a swivel chair that hid most of her small frame.

At the request of the Iredell County Sheriff's Office, Assistant District Attorney Mikko Red Arrow asked the judge to transfer Evans to a state prison in Raleigh.

Red Arrow said Evans regularly take a "lengthy list of medications," and officials are concerned that county resources will not be adequate.

He added that officials are also worried about "attraction from other inmates" although there is not a "safety concern yet."

Klass delayed the move for about three weeks, after Rabil requested that Evans stay in Iredell County while he prepares her case.

Also, Rabil requested copies of search warrants related to Evans' case, which are sealed until Dec. 8.

Rabil said he is still waiting to receive copies of the prosecution's evidence as well.

Red Arrow said he has run into problems copying the 5,000 to 6,000 pages of evidence and agreed to try to deliver it by Sept. 15.