Teens plead innocent in Conway slayings of friend's grandparents

Conner Atchley (left) and Anastasia Rose Roberts
Conner Atchley (left) and Anastasia Rose Roberts

CONWAY — Two teenagers charged with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting deaths of a friend's grandparents pleaded innocent in court Tuesday.

Conner Atchley made the plea Tuesday morning. A second teenager charged, Anastasia Roberts, appeared later Tuesday and also entered an innocent plea.

Prosecutors charged Atchley and Roberts, both 17, with first-degree murder last month.

Investigators say the teens were both present when Robert and Patricia Cogdell were fatally shot in their Conway home in July.

Prosecutors have already charged 14-year-old Justin Staton, whom the couple raised as their grandson, and his friend, 18-year-old Hunter Drexler, with capital murder. Investigators allege they robbed and shot the couple, then dumped their bodies in a wooded area behind their home.

Staton's mother, Michelle Staton, and maternal grandfather, Randal Eugene Staton, also appeared Tuesday and pleaded innocent to hindering apprehension charges related to the case.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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