Man pleads not guilty to charges linked to deaths

CONWAY, Ark. (AP) — A man accused of trying to cover up his grandson’s involvement in the slaying of his legal guardians has pleaded not guilty to hindering apprehension or prosecution.


Authorities say 58-year-old Randy Staton and his daughter, 36-year-old Michelle Staton, tried to dispose of 14-year-old Justin Staton’s clothes after learning he was involved in the shooting deaths of his guardians. 

Randy is currently free on a $35,000 bond, but no bond has been set for his daughter. The Log Cabin Democrat reports they will both appear in court Dec. 7.

Justin and 18-year-old Hunter Drexler face charges of capital murder, aggravated robbery, theft of property by threat and abuse of a corpse in the July shooting deaths of Robert and Patricia Cogdell.