Post by Anja Nieser on Sept 25, 2006 0:46:36 GMT -5
Underwood Arraigned on First-Degree Murder Charges
A 26-year-old man accused of killing and attempting to behead a
10-year-old neighbor was formally arraigned Wednesday on a first-degree
murder charge in McClain County District Court.
Kevin Ray Underwood is accused of murdering Jamie Rose Bolin by smothering
her with his hands and duct tape in his apartment last April. Her body was
found at his apartment inside a plastic tub in Underwood's closet.
Assistant District Attorney Richard Sitzman said he intends to seek the
death penalty in the case.
According to previously released police documents, Underwood intended to
consume all or part of Bolin's body as part of a longstanding plan to
attempt cannibalism. Bolin's neck was deeply cut and a number of cooking
implements, including barbecue skewers, were found at Underwood's
apartment at the time of his arrest.
Appearing at the arraignment shackled and sporting a beard and an orange
jail jumpsuit, Underwood waived his right to a speedy trial, answering his
lawyer's questions with a quiet and reserved "yes" when asked if he
understood the implications of his decision. District Judge Candace
Blalock entered a plea of not guilty for Underwood, citing his request to
"stand mute."
Sitzman said the legal move by defense lawyer Silas Lyman "isn't unheard
of, but is still, somewhat unusual."
"Now that's not saying that (Lyman) isn't going to later file a notice of
insanity defense. They can still do that," Sitzman said.
In addition to setting a tentative trial date of May 7, District Judge
Candace Blalock upheld a gag order requested by Underwood's defense team
last April and upheld the $1 million bond keeping Underwood in custody at
the McClain County Jail, also housed at the courthouse in Purcell.
Prior to the formal arraignment, Sitzman filed a bill of particulars
Wednesday in McClain County District Court, outlining 3 aggravating
circumstances that would allow him to seek the death penalty: The
defendant killed the victim to avoid lawful arrest or prosecution; the
death of the victim was especially heinous, atrocious and cruel, in that
the victim was repeatedly struck about the head and body and was kidnapped
... and thereby suffered great bodily harm and emotional distress,
amounting to torture prior to death; and the possibility exists that the
defendant would commit criminal acts of violence that would constitute a
continuing threat to society.
(source: The Norman Transcript)
A 26-year-old man accused of killing and attempting to behead a
10-year-old neighbor was formally arraigned Wednesday on a first-degree
murder charge in McClain County District Court.
Kevin Ray Underwood is accused of murdering Jamie Rose Bolin by smothering
her with his hands and duct tape in his apartment last April. Her body was
found at his apartment inside a plastic tub in Underwood's closet.
Assistant District Attorney Richard Sitzman said he intends to seek the
death penalty in the case.
According to previously released police documents, Underwood intended to
consume all or part of Bolin's body as part of a longstanding plan to
attempt cannibalism. Bolin's neck was deeply cut and a number of cooking
implements, including barbecue skewers, were found at Underwood's
apartment at the time of his arrest.
Appearing at the arraignment shackled and sporting a beard and an orange
jail jumpsuit, Underwood waived his right to a speedy trial, answering his
lawyer's questions with a quiet and reserved "yes" when asked if he
understood the implications of his decision. District Judge Candace
Blalock entered a plea of not guilty for Underwood, citing his request to
"stand mute."
Sitzman said the legal move by defense lawyer Silas Lyman "isn't unheard
of, but is still, somewhat unusual."
"Now that's not saying that (Lyman) isn't going to later file a notice of
insanity defense. They can still do that," Sitzman said.
In addition to setting a tentative trial date of May 7, District Judge
Candace Blalock upheld a gag order requested by Underwood's defense team
last April and upheld the $1 million bond keeping Underwood in custody at
the McClain County Jail, also housed at the courthouse in Purcell.
Prior to the formal arraignment, Sitzman filed a bill of particulars
Wednesday in McClain County District Court, outlining 3 aggravating
circumstances that would allow him to seek the death penalty: The
defendant killed the victim to avoid lawful arrest or prosecution; the
death of the victim was especially heinous, atrocious and cruel, in that
the victim was repeatedly struck about the head and body and was kidnapped
... and thereby suffered great bodily harm and emotional distress,
amounting to torture prior to death; and the possibility exists that the
defendant would commit criminal acts of violence that would constitute a
continuing threat to society.
(source: The Norman Transcript)