The Latest: Investigator: Slain officer was shot from behind

The Latest: Investigator: Slain officer was shot from behind


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BILOXI, Miss. (AP) — The Latest on the killing of a Mississippi police officer (all times local):

3:30 p.m.

A man accused of killing a Mississippi police officer walked up behind him in the police station parking lot and shot him several times in the back. That's according to a sworn statement filed by a sheriff's investigator.

The Sun Herald reports the statement is included in court records in the case of Darian (DEHR-uhn) Atkinson. The 19-year-old from Biloxi is charged with capital murder in the death of 57-year-old Biloxi Police Patrolman Robert McKeithen (muh-KEETH-en) on Sunday.

The newspaper reports that a video from outside the Biloxi police station showed Atkinson running through the parking lot after the shooting.

Atkinson told a judge Wednesday that he doesn't know if he needs a public defender because he hasn't been able to call his family. The judge scheduled a Friday hearing.

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10:19 a.m.

The 19-year-old accused of killing a veteran Mississippi police officer smiled and hummed as he was led into court Wednesday but was wearing a knee-length vest the sheriff said is for inmates considered suicide risks.

The Sun Herald reports Darian (DEHR-uhn) Atkinson told Justice Court Judge Brandon Ladner he doesn't know if he needs a public defender because he hasn't been able to call his family. The judge scheduled a hearing Friday.

Atkinson was in a jail courtroom for his initial appearance on a charge of capital murder in the death of 57-year-old Biloxi Police Patrolman Robert McKeithen (muh-KEETH-en) on Sunday.

Atkinson's 21-year-old brother told the judge he'll hire his own lawyer. The judge said Davian Atkinson is accused of driving his brother out of town and letting him make phone calls.

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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