By Ray King
A 19-year-old Pine Bluff man arrested Monday night will be held without bond at the adult detention center while prosecutors prepare capital murder charges against him.
At a court hearing Wednesday morning, Jefferson County District Judge Kim Bridgforth ruled probable cause exists to charge Daelon Reshuan Baker with capital murder in the Dec. 19 shooting death of Laquavis Thomas, 20, whose body was found on a bridge on Wilber West Road near Bayou Bartholomew and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Baker will also be charged with possession of a defaced firearm and misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance marijuana.
Reading from a probable cause affidavit from Sheriff’s Investigator Terry Wingard, Chief Deputy Prosecutor Will Jones said deputies were sent to the area after hunters reported hearing gunshots between 5:15 and 5:30 p.m.
Thomas was identified by family members, Jones said.
When Baker was questioned, he initially denied being with Thomas but later admitted that he had driven Thomas to the bridge and then left him with the gun. He said later that night, the gun was brought back to him.
Baker said he would hire his own attorney.
