VIDEO: Salvation Army murder suspect appears in court

Laquan Fitzpatrick, far right, appears via video in North Little Rock District Court this morning.
Laquan Fitzpatrick, far right, appears via video in North Little Rock District Court this morning.

— The suspect in the Christmas Eve slaying of a Salvation Army major appeared in court via video this morning from the Pulaski County Jail, where he will continue to be held without bond.

Laquan Fitzpatrick, 19, is charged with capital murder in the shooting death of Philip Wise, who was killed in front of his three young children outside a Salvation Army community center in North Little Rock.

Laquan Fitzpatrick made an initial court appearance via video after being arrested Tuesday in the Christmas Eve killing of Salvation Army Maj. Philip Wise.

Murder suspect appears in court

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The hearing marked the first time since Fitzpatrick's arrest Tuesday that officials divulged information on how investigators tied him to the crime.

"He was identified by witnesses in the area at that time and has also admitted to other individuals that he was the individual that committed this murder," Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Caroline Bednar told the court while asking that no bond be set. The statement prompted Fitzpatrick to quickly turn to his attorney.

North Little Rock police detective Don Maggard, the lead investigator in the case, said Fitzpatrick had spoke of his involvement to several people "and possibly even to his mother."

Fitzpatrick is also charged in an unrelated robbery and burglary. Police say he confessed those crimes during questioning after his arrest.

Judge Jim Hamilton entered a preliminary plea of not guilty for Fitzpatrick during the session in North Little Rock District Court.

Fitzpatrick, clad in blue jail garb, spoke only briefly during the 7-minute hearing, acknowledging his name, age and charges and saying he was fine when Hamilton asked how he was doing. At the end of the hearing, Fitzpatrick declined to ask questions.

Hamilton appointed a public defender for Fitzpatrick but advised him he would likely get a different attorney when the case is moved to Pulaski County Circuit Court.

Hamilton set a review hearing for April 28 and ordered Fitzpatrick continue to be held without bond, at least for now. Prosecutors asked that no bond be set while Fitzpatrick's just-appointed public defender said she needed time to review the file.

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