A local man charged in the apparent mercy killing of his wife was in court today (Friday) to face several charges...

The Massillon man charged with shooting and killing his wife in the Intensive Care Unit of Akron General Medical Center has entered a not guilty plea to aggravated murder, murder, and felonious assault charges at his arraignment.  Bond for 66-year old John Wise was set at ten percent of $500,000.

Wise allegedly walked into the ICU the evening of August 4th, shot his wife, and then peacefully surrendered to police.

A friend says his wife, Barbara, had been disabled by a stroke.

His case has raised questions about what kind of punishment prosecutors should pursue when a relative is suspected of killing a loved one to end their suffering.

Wise is scheduled to be back in court before Summit County Common Pleas Court Judge Mary Margaret Rowlands on September 5th.

UPDATED 1:11 p.m. The Summit County Medical Examiner's Office has released the official cause of death of Barbara Wise, 65, of Massillon. She's the woman who was shot while in the intensive care unit (ICU) at Akron General last Saturday.

The cause was a gunshot to the head, and the case is ruled a homicide.

Prosecutors have been waiting for the report to determine charges her husband, John, 66, will face. Police said he carried a gun into the hospital and shot his wife while she lay in the ICU bed, in critical condition.

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(Summit County Medical Examiner) The autopsy has been completed on Barbara Wise, the 65 year-old female that was shot on August 4, 2012, while an inpatient at Akron General Medical Center.

The cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head. The manner of death is homicide.

Previous coverage:

Bond is set for the Massillon man accused of shooting his wife in the ICU at Akron General Medical Center.

NewsChannel 5 reports John Wise appeared in Akron Municipal Court on an aggravated attempted murder charge Tuesday. His bond was set at $1 million.

Police say the 66-year old entered the hospital Saturday and calmly walked into the Intensive Care Unit where he shot his critically ill wife, 65-year old Barbara Wise.

The charges could change pending autopsy results.

On the web: www.NewsNet5.com

Previous Coverage:

AGMC Reviews Security Procedures Following ICU Shooting

Akron General Shooting Victim Declared Brain Dead

Akron General Medical Center officials have been meeting to review the hospital's security procedures since 66-year old John Wise of Massillon entered the hospital Saturday and calmly walked into the Intensive Care Unit where he shot his critically ill wife 65-year old Barbara Wise.

She has now been declared brain dead.

John Wise is now in police custody facing an initial charge of attempted aggravated murder. That charge is expected to change after the Summit County Medical Examiner completes an autopsy on Barbara Wise, either Tuesday of Wednesday.

Akron Police Captain Dan Zampelli says the Prosecutor will determine which charges Wise will face once the autopsy results are complete 

 Akron General spokesman Jim Gosky tells AkronNewsNow "We've had several meetings already with various departments throughout the organization, and leaders throughout the organization, and just bringing everyone back together, focusing on what happened Saturday night, and refocusing our efforts on safety and security."

Gosky says it's more difficult to tighten security at hospitals. "Our security forces are right up front when you walk in, but keep in mind too that there are multiple entrances to a facility like Akron General, as there are at any hospital. So people can walk in through a number of public entrances, and get where they want to go, like walking into a shopping mall or a theater," says Gosky.

Jim Gosky of Akron General Medical Center by Larry States

Gosky says the hospital over the years has discussed utilizing metal detectors, but backed away from that idea when their use at other hospitals caused response and other problems.

Jim Gosky says the hospital staff did perform as trained when the shooting occurred . " We certainly have drills all the time and I will say that as a result of the practice and professionalism of our staff, because of that their reaction was simply amazing on Saturday night."

UPDATE 4:00 PM 8/5/12: Akron police confirm that Barbara Wise has been declared brain dead. The declaration was made at Akron General Medical Center at 10:20 a.m. Sunday morning.

The charges of attempted aggravated murder against Wise's husband, John Wise, could become murder charges, depending on the results of the Summit County Medical Examiner's autopsy.  Police could also wait for a possible grand jury indictment.

Though the investigation is still in its earliest, preliminary stages, police say that it appears that Wise wanted to end his wife's suffering.

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EARLIER COVERAGE

A woman police say was shot by her husband at Akron General Medical Center on Saturday night isn't expected to survive.

Police say 66 year-old John Wise entered the hospital room of his wife, 65 year-old Barbara Wise, at just before 9 p.m. and shot her. She was in the intensive care unit.

Akron police Capt. Dan Zampelli tells AkronNewsNow that John Wise surrendered his gun, and was taken into custody immediately by hospital security personnel.

Wise is facing charges of aggravated attempted murder, which Capt. Zampelli says will likely become charges of aggravated murder if Barbara Wise does not survive.

Barbara Wise was already hospitalized in critical condition before the shooting.

Akron General was on lockdown during the incident, but returned to normal operations later Saturday night.