Detroit Man Held Without Bond In Estranged Wife's Slaying; Kids Still Missing
DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - A Detroit man has been ordered held without bond in the slaying of his 27-year-old estranged wife, whose two small children are still missing.
A judge entered a not-guilty plea Wednesday during 26-year-old Erin Justice's video arraignment in Detroit's 36th District Court on first-degree murder and weapons charges.
Alicia Fox's decomposed body was found June 9 in a vacant house on Detroit's west side. The 27-year-old mom had been shot to death.
The 28-year-old Justice — who appeared wearing a white t-shirt and a full beard — had been fighting extradition following his arrest in June in the Atlanta area.
Justice was not represented by an attorney as he said he understood the charges against him.
WWJ's Marie Osborne reported that Fox's family members — some wearing t-shirts featuring photos 6-year-old Kaylah Hunter and 8-month-old Kristian Justice — remained silent during Wednesday's proceedings and declined to speak to reporters.
Detroit Police Chief James Craig said he had no idea what Justice was doing down in Georgia; but told reporters last month that investigators believe Justice — who is Kristian's father —may know where the children are — although he did not elaborate.
Police received a tip that the children might be found in Rouge Park — which is the largest park in the city of Detroit — but authorities and volunteers have found no sign of the kids; and Craig has said investigators have no idea if they're dead or alive.
A second Detroit man, 27-year-old Timothy Jones, was charged as an accessory after the fact in Fox's death.
A preliminary examination for Justice is scheduled for Sept. 4.
MORE: Why Wasn't An Amber Alert Issued For Missing Detroit Kids Whose Mom Was Murdered?
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