A 22-year-old Camp Hill man charged with the murder of Jakell Mitchell made his first appearance in a Lee County courtroom Monday, Dec. 15.
Markale Hart's attorney, Anwar Taylor, asked for Hart to be moved to Tallapoosa County and for his $500,000 bail to be reduced.
The Auburn Police Division arrested Hart on Dec. 15. Hart appeared in court for his arraignment hearing.
"It's a high profile case and (Hart's family) wants him out of the county," Taylor said.
Taylor said threats had been made to Hart's family.
"The family ask that people let this play out in court and not street justice," Taylor said.
The judge said defense attorneys would be allowed to file motions regarding bail reduction.
Hart's probation may be revoked for a conviction of a 2012 burglary in Tallapoosa County.
The court also appointed a public defense attorney, because Hart's family have not finalized Taylor's representation for future hearing.
A preliminary hearing will be scheduled to determine if there's enough evidence to send the case to a grand jury.
Mitchell was shot and killed at the Tiger Lodge apartment complex, the same site as a 2012 triple murder.
District Attorney Robert Treese said he will look into having Tiger Lodge declared a public nuisance.
"I'm not sure if it rises to that level," Treese said.
Treese said under the law there is a high legal standard that has to be met to have a property declared a public nuisance.
"It seems to me, where there's smoke, there's fire," Treese said. "I don't know if I have the authority to pour water on it."
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