The Fairfield man who is accused of breaking into a home, killing his ex-wife and trying to shoot his stepson appeared in court Monday.

James Taylor, 75, was joined by his public defender as he went before a judge for a brief hearing at the Fairfield County Courthouse.

Taylor appeared healed of all the wounds he’d had at his first court appearance following his arrest for the murder of Catherine Taylor.

Though the couple divorced 25 years ago, they continued a decades-long, on-and-off relationship -- until Feb. 4. That's when police say James Taylor broke into Catherine Taylor's son's home on Catamount Road, where she was staying, and shot her in the head.

The son heard the gunfire, rushed to investigate and nearly got shot himself.

Police say he and his stepfather struggled until police arrived and arrested Taylor.

Taylor told police he didn't remember what happened and couldn't make sense of how he got there.

Police continue to investigate James Taylor's motive as his case moves through the justice system.

Taylor appeared coherent in court Monday as his attorney asked for more time to decide whether to request a probable cause hearing.

The judge set his next court date for April 1.