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The 46-year-old man charged with the July 8 murder of an Ardmore resident waived his preliminary hearing in Carter County District Court Thursday.
William “Billy” Day, charged with first-degree murder, relinquished his rights to hear evidence against him in the slaying of Leslie Knight. District Attorney Craig Ladd said the waiver puts the case on track for trial.
Ardmore Police Chief Keith Mann announced Day was arrested without incident Sept. 8 in what he described as a “felony” traffic stop in Healdton.
“I felt it was important to let the public know an arrest had been made” Mann said, adding Knight’s murder had been “rigorously investigated. “Several detectives, myself, the Carter County Sheriff’s Department and the sheriff (Ken Grace) have all had him under surveillance.”
Knight’s body was discovered in tall grass near a fence on South Carter Street by a road liter crew working about 1/4 mile south of U.S. Highway 70. But he was not immediately identified. The 40-year-old man’s remains were sent to the state Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy. His identity was later confirmed by finger prints.
Investigators said at the time it appeared Knight had been dead for more than 24 hours at the time his body was discovered. Evidence also indicated the murder had not occurred where his body was discovered.
Day continues to be detained without bond at the Carter County Detention Center. His next court appearance will be formal arraignment proceedings.
Day is already facing a 10 year prison sentence and a $50,000 fine. Just days after his arrest for Knight’s murder he pleaded guilty in Jefferson County to charges of endeavoring to manufacture methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
The 46-year-old man charged with the July 8 murder of an Ardmore resident waived his preliminary hearing in Carter County District Court Thursday.
William “Billy” Day, charged with first-degree murder, relinquished his rights to hear evidence against him in the slaying of Leslie Knight. District Attorney Craig Ladd said the waiver puts the case on track for trial.
Ardmore Police Chief Keith Mann announced Day was arrested without incident Sept. 8 in what he described as a “felony” traffic stop in Healdton.
“I felt it was important to let the public know an arrest had been made” Mann said, adding Knight’s murder had been “rigorously investigated. “Several detectives, myself, the Carter County Sheriff’s Department and the sheriff (Ken Grace) have all had him under surveillance.”
Knight’s body was discovered in tall grass near a fence on South Carter Street by a road liter crew working about 1/4 mile south of U.S. Highway 70. But he was not immediately identified. The 40-year-old man’s remains were sent to the state Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy. His identity was later confirmed by finger prints.
Investigators said at the time it appeared Knight had been dead for more than 24 hours at the time his body was discovered. Evidence also indicated the murder had not occurred where his body was discovered.
Day continues to be detained without bond at the Carter County Detention Center. His next court appearance will be formal arraignment proceedings.
Day is already facing a 10 year prison sentence and a $50,000 fine. Just days after his arrest for Knight’s murder he pleaded guilty in Jefferson County to charges of endeavoring to manufacture methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
