BENTONVILLE -- A local judge ordered a man suspected of killing his roommate be held in the Benton County Jail without bond.
Mei Ka Sin, 23, was arrested Wednesday in connection with capital murder.
Springdale police officers found Rwabuzisoni Daniel, 21, dead in a apartment at 5325 Oak St. on Monday night. The area is in the Benton County portion of Springdale.
Sin appeared in court Thursday for a bond hearing. Sin is from Myanmar, and a interpreter by telephone was used for the hearing.
Jay Saxton, Benton County's chief public defender, told Circuit Judge Robin Green he did not believe prosecutors have probable cause for the capital murder charge. Saxton requested that Sin be held in connection with first-degree murder.
Benton County Prosecutor Nathan Smith said facts in the probable cause affidavit and witnesses statements are the basis for capital murder. Smith requested Sin be held in connection with the capital murder charge.
Green said she had read the affidavit and found probable cause exists to detain Sin on capital murder.
Smith requested Sin be held without bond. Saxton asked Green to set a money bond at not more than $100,000.
Sin told Green through the interpreter he came to the United States as a refugee and he has lived in Arkansas for six months. Sin said he has family that lives in other states, but none in Arkansas.
Sin said he previously lived in Nacogdoches, Texas, and Houston.
Green ordered Sin be held in the county jail and also ordered him not to have any contact with family members of Daniel.
Prosecutors have not filed a formal charge against Sin, but Smith expects one to be filed within 45 days.
Sin's arraignment is scheduled for 8 a.m. Sept. 5.
NW News on 07/21/2017