What was the story surrounding Rita Stapleton Bauer?
Nurse Rita came to Springfield in 1975 from Bluefield, WV, with her sister Evie and mom Viola. She had been working for an old guy named Cyrus Granger (who bit the dust and left Rita a sizable chunk of cash). Cyrus’ son, Malcolm, was annoyed about this, and somehow ended up in the hospital. Rita left early, didn’t sign out, and the nurse next on duty apparently over-medicated him, killing him. Cedars didn’t press charges, but the widow Georgene, who was one pancake short of a stack, terrorized Rita, making her stand trial. Rita was aquitted thanks to an alibi provided by the man she was boinking on the night in question, young Roger Thorpe. Ed, who had been dating Rita, was not too thrilled about this, but apparently got over it, and they were married. As a sidebar, Georgene sought revenge and set little (blind) Evie’s apartment on fire, trapping her inside. (She was saved and went on to marry artist Ben McFarren…but that’s another story.) After being dumped by Hillary Bauer, Roger r
