Log in

Murder suspects arraigned

Posted

Four people charged in two separate murder cases were arraigned last Friday and their cases set for trial, online court records show.
Mark Payton, 28, is charged with first-degree murder, possession of firearms by certain persons, unauthorized use of property and theft by receiving in the Jan. 16 shooting death of 34-year-old Justin Lee Brown at Bergman, while Lauren Smith, 23, is charged with first-degree murder and hindering apprehension or prosecution in the same case.
Officials say both have been sent to prison on revocation of suspended sentences.
A court order issued earlier this month set their arraignment dates for Friday, March 26, and they were to appear via closed circuit TV from their respective prison units.
However, court officials say they both applied for and are represented by the public defender’s office. They signed waivers that did not require them to appear and not guilty pleas were entered on their behalf.

Khade Greenhaw, 27, and Colby Lee King, 32, are both charged with capital murder, aggravated residential burglary, theft of property and first-degree criminal mischief in the alleged beating death of 27-year-old Jeffrey Dillon Burchfield at a residence in Bellefonte on Jan. 30. King is also charged with tampering with physical evidence.
Officials say King was also sent back to prison on a revocation warrant, but Greenhaw has been held in the Boone County Jail since Feb. 1.
King also signed a waiver and did not have to appear. A not guilty plea was entered on his behalf. Court records show Greenhaw did appear via CCTV and pleaded not guilty.
An order signed by Boone County Circuit Judge John Putman states that all four suspects are tentatively set for jury trial during the trial period beginning Sept. 27. The final appearance date before trial is set for Aug. 27, online court records show.



X
X