In reference to my Murder, Race, Justice entry :
from WXII.com
New Sykes Murder Suspect Appears In Court
Convicted Man’s Attorney ‘Encouraged’ By Developments
UPDATED: 12:48 PM EST December 23, 2003
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — The new suspect in the Sykes murder case made his first court appearance Tuesday morning.
Willard Brown, 43, of Winston-Salem was charged Monday in the 19-year-old rape and murder of newspaperwoman Deborah Sykes.
Brown showed no emotion as he walked into a Forsyth County courtroom Monday.
Judge William Graham arraigned Brown on charges of first-degree murder, rape and kidnapping.
Brown also was arraigned Tuesday on charges of robbery with a deadly weapon in the same case.
Sykes’ body was found in downtown Winston-Salem was found just off of West End Boulevard behind wooden pylons.
Darryl Hunt was convicted for the murder and is serving time for the crime.
Larry Little, one of Hunt’s attorneys, hopes the new suspect will exonerate his client.
“Mr. Brown, under our constitution, has the presumption of innocence as every human being does, and there is really no evidence until it comes into a court of law and is critically examined,” Little said. “So, whereas I am very enthusiastic, I am a lawyer, and I know that everybody has to have their day in court, so we have to see how this plays out. But, obviously, we are encouraged.”
Brown is being held without bond. His next court appearance is Jan. 16.