Marvin Ray Markle Jr., 51, who sported a smirk as he entered the courtroom in chains to greet his council Thursday, plead not guilty in February to one count of murder in connection with the 1982 death of De Anna Lynn Johnson, 14. Markle was 17 at the time of the crime, hence why he remains in juvenile court.
With the Prosecuting Attorney seeking to move the case to adult court, Markles public defendant replied that he was not in a position to ask for a transfer hearing, citing a massive case of documents that still need to be examined by him. The prosecution attorney countered, saying, Its not brain surgery as to whether we should go forward or not. The man proceeded to say that a decision not to set a jurisdictional hearing would be a waste of time.
Presiding Judge D. Scott Daniels questioned Markles public defendant, asking if Juvenile Court could provide his client with proper services. In conclusion, to give Markles public defendant more time to get up to speed, Judge D. Scott Daniels set a further readiness conference for April 27 at 9:30 a.m where a possible transfer to adult court will be discussed once again.