CONWAY -- A teenager charged with killing a Conway couple as part of a suspected scheme to steal money and credit cards is to appear in Faulkner County Circuit Court on Friday, when he likely will enter a plea.
Hunter Drexler, 17, of Clinton made his first court appearance by video Monday since he was charged as an adult last week with two counts of capital murder and other offenses.
District Judge David Reynolds of Conway ordered that Drexler be held without bail.
Drexler's parents, grandparents and sister were present during his brief hearing and walked to the front of the courtroom where they could see the video screen. They left the courtroom without talking to reporters.
Prosecuting Attorney Cody Hiland announced Friday that his office had charged Drexler and Justin Staton, 14, of Conway with capital murder in the July 21 deaths of Robert and Patricia Cogdell, both 66. The Cogdells were Justin's legal guardians and had raised him since he was a little boy.
Both youths also are charged with two counts each of aggravated robbery, theft of property by threat and abuse of a corpse.
Hiland has said he expects to file charges against additional people "in the coming weeks."
Two other Arkansas youths, Conner Atchley and Anastasia Rose Roberts, both 17, also have been in custody since shortly after the shootings but have not been charged in them.
Drexler's attorney, Patrick Benca, has said his client intends to plead innocent.
Staton, who is represented by a public defender, is scheduled to make another court appearance on Aug. 25.
State Desk on 08/11/2015