STUTTGART -- A Stuttgart teenager charged as an adult with capital murder has pleaded innocent in the July 22 slaying of 20-year-old Daniel Ruffin.
After hearing the plea Monday, Arkansas County Circuit Judge David Henry set an Oct. 28 trial date Monday for Arthur Hicks Jr., 17.
Police said Hicks shot and killed Ruffin during a robbery attempt outside Ruffin's South Maple Street home in Stuttgart. Ruffin had been walking his dog when Hicks approached him, then opened fire, authorities said.
Few other details about the case have been released, and attempts to obtain a probable cause affidavit from Arkansas County prosecutor Robert Dittrich have been unsuccessful. A message left for Dittrich on Tuesday was not returned.
A message left for Hicks' attorney, Arkansas County Public Defender Dennis Molock, also was not returned Tuesday.
Hicks is being held without bail at the Arkansas County Juvenile Detention Center in DeWitt. His next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 8 for a pretrial hearing.
State Desk on 08/06/2014