A man shot and wounded during an attempted robbery occurring in March of this year, died over the weekend, while in hospice care.

According to information contained in a news release from DeKalb County Sheriff Jimmy Harris – Boyce Charles ‘Pete’ Batey – was shot in an attempted robbery following a trip to a gas station in downtown Geraldine.

The suspect – 37 year old Patty Elaine Westbrook of Guntersville – approached Batey, and asked for a ride. He agreed and while they were traveling Westbrook allegedly shot Batey as they were coming to the intersection of County Roads 36 & 246.

Batey was initially transported to Marshall Medical Center South, and later taken to UAB, where he spent several weeks.

Patty Westbrook was charged with Attempted Murder in that case, and currently remains in jail – with bond set at $250,000.

Sheriff Harris said that, Mr. Batey’s body has been taken to the Alabama Department of Forensic Science in Huntsville, for an autopsy – and his department will continue to work with the District Attorney on the case and if the results of the autopsy indicate that the cause of Batey’s death was in any way related to the shooting of March 5th, they will make every effort to have Westbrook’s charges upgraded.