A Columbus municipal judge denied bond to two capital murder suspects at their initial court appearance Wednesday.
Caledonia resident Victoria Slayton, 23, and Malcolm Hill, 25, of Shannon will remain in custody at Lowndes County Adult Detention Center until their preliminary hearing Oct. 25.
Slayton and Hill were arrested Monday for the murder of 34-year-old Markcus Pate, who was found shot to death in his 11th Street South apartment Saturday morning. According to the arrest affidavit Judge Gary Goodwin read during the suspects’ initial appearance, Slayton and Hill were arrested for killing Pate “while engaged in the felony of a robbery.” While Goodwin said the affidavit contained more detail, he did not read the rest aloud in court.
The Dispatch has submitted a public records request for the arrest affidavits.
Mississippi law does not require judges set bond for capital murder suspects before they have a full hearing.
Hill was arrested at an east Columbus residence, while Slayton was arrested at the Columbus Police Department after she came in to answer questions about the investigation into Pate’s death, Chief Fred Shelton said. At the time of their arrests, both suspects were on parole from Mississippi Department of Corrections, Slayton for charges of uttering forgery and sale of controlled substance, and Hill for burglary and larceny of an unoccupied dwelling.
A court source said Hill and Slayton have a romantic relationship. Investigators previously said the two conspired to steal drugs from Pate.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 36 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.