The state will be seeking the death penalty in this matter.
BELTON, Texas (KWTX) The Bell County District Attorney announced he will seek the death penalty against accused double murderer Cedric Marks.
Henry Garza said Tuesday he filed with the District Clerk the DA’s notice that we will seek the death penalty.
Marks, 45, is accused of killing Jenna Scott, 28, and her friend Michael Swearingin, 32, whose bodies were found on Jan. 15 in clandestine graves in rural Okfusee County, Okla.
Scott and her close friend Swearingin were last heard from on Jan. 4.
Swearingin’s car was later found south in Austin.
Marks’ current girlfriend, Maya Renee Maxwell, 26, who’s accused of helping abandon Swearingin’s vehicle in an effort to hide it from authorities, is also charged with capital murder.
Marks, who remains in custody on a $1.7 million bond, has pleaded “Absolutely not guilty” to the capital murder charges.
Maj. TJ Cruz with the Bell County Sheriff’s Department said bond for a separate burglary charge is $250,000.
Marks attorney Michael Whites said earlier it could be up to two years before a trial is held now that the state is pursuing the death penalty.