SIMI VALLEY : Man Denies Guilt in Bomb Incident

James R. McKeever, charged with two counts of attempted murder in the pipe bombing of a Simi Valley residence last November, entered a not guilty plea Monday.

Ventura County Superior Court Judge Lawrence Storch set a trial date of March 16 for McKeever, 43, who appeared in court on a gurney because of a back ailment.

McKeever, a Moorpark resident, is accused of trying to kill John Monroe, 34, and Monroe’s wife, Charlene Mayer, 33, both of whom were injured in the explosion.

McKeever’s wife, Karen Dunlop, was once married to Monroe, and they have waged a bitter battle over custody of their 7-year-old son, according to earlier court testimony.

Monroe and Mayer were awakened about 5 a.m. Nov. 21 when a pipe bomb was flung through their bedroom window. The bomb landed on their bed, causing serious injuries to Mayer’s leg and minor shrapnel injuries to Monroe.

McKeever is also charged with using an explosive device.

His attorney, Deputy Public Defender Jean Farley, said during the hearing that she will request permission from Storch to allow her client, who is being held in the jail, to undergo surgery for his back before the trial.

“He is not capable of going through a trial now,” she said outside the courtroom.