TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) - The man accused of killing FSU Professor Dan Markel walked into a Tallahassee court on Friday and left in custody without bond being set.
Sigfredo Garcia pled not guilty in court Friday June 24th, as defense attorneys argued there was not enough evidence to keep him in jail.
Garcia, in handcuffs, appeared in court Friday morning for a hearing on whether there is substantial evidence for the state to deny a bond be set in the Markel murder case.
The hearing was supposed to determine whether there is significant evidence to deny setting a bond, but the defense argued that a lack of witnesses required the hearing to be pushed back to a later date.
The state argued they had clear evidence linking Garcia to the murder and recognized him as a flight risk, claiming that his indication to flee, along with his criminal history, makes Garcia a danger to the community.
Garcia's defense attorneys maintained that the state has only presented hearsay statements that were not substantial evidence. Garcia's lead attorney, Jim Lewis, also argued that a proper hearing could not take place without questioning witnesses from law enforcement officials and asked that the hearing be moved until a subpoena could be issued.
The defense also asked to file motions regarding the state's plans to pursue the death penalty in the case, claiming his client should be provided with additional representation. He also asked to file a motion to improve Garcia's isolated living conditions in jail, which he claimed to be inhumane.
Judge Terry Lewis did not issue a ruling on the bond hearing, instead allowing for witnesses to be brought in for cross-examination. The court did not set an official hearing date, but it is set to be scheduled for next week.
(Story Continues Below)
Garcia is currently being held at the Leon County Jail under charges of first-degree murder in the case of Dan Markel's death. Garcia was arrested for Markel's murder in Broward County on May 25th, then extradited to Leon County on June 1st.
Garcia, along with co-defendant Luis Rivera, were charged with first-degree murder following the death of Dan Markel who was found shot to death in his driveway in July of 2014. The FSU law professor was divorced from his wife, Wendi Adelson who moved to south Florida with their children after his death.
Police say her family's desire to have Adelson and the children live in south Florida may have been motive for his murder.
