Jay Reginald Moody, 29, of El Dorado had his first appearance in court yesterday, appearing in front of District Judge Jack Barker.
Capt. Jeff Stinson, chief investigator for the Union County Sheriff's Office, said Moody will continue to be held without bond at the Union County Detention Center. His circuit court appearance, where he will offer a plea to the charges against him, has not been scheduled yet, Stinson said.
Moody is suspected to have killed 22 year-old Marchella Modica-Champion, of El Dorado. Modica-Champion was nine months pregnant at the time of her death, due to give birth on Feb. 14; her child did not survive either.
Moody is facing two counts of capital murder, for which he could face the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Moody was arrested on Feb. 14, 17 days after Modica-Champion was discovered dead in a ditch in Wesson. On the day of his arrest, officers from the UCSO said Moody may have been the father of her child.
The investigation into Modica-Champion's murder is ongoing. Stinson said the Arkansas State Crime Lab is still reviewing evidence. On Feb. 14, officers said they did not anticipate making additional arrests at that time.
Caitlan Butler can be reached at 870-862-6611 or [email protected].