BENTONVILLE -- A Rogers man accused of attempting to kill his wife with rat poison is fit to stand trial.
Bob Lee Steward, 45, is charged with attempted capital murder, a felony punishable with 10 to 40 years or life in prison. He has pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Benton County Circuit Judge Brad Karren decided Monday that Steward is fit to stand trial. Steward had a mental evaluation at Ozark Guidance.
His next court appearance is scheduled for April 10.
Janet Steward told police Sept. 25 her husband put rat poison in her coffee, according to court documents.
Steward told police her husband made her coffee while she was in the shower. She took a sip of the coffee and noticed a bitter taste. She poured the drink into the sink and saw a green substance in the coffee, according to an affidavit.
Police found a white coffee cup with green residue in it and a package of rodent control under the sink.
Bob Steward told police he put rat poison pellets in his wife's coffee but described it as a prank. He told police he had been thinking of killing his wife for a year and thought about setting their home on fire while she was in the shower, according to an affidavit.
Steward is being held in the Benton County Jail on $200,000 bond. He has been ordered not to have any contact with his wife.
NW News on 03/01/2017