published: Friday, November 23, 2012
Doty suspects appear in court
By SAMANTHA GHOLAR
sgholar@newssun.com
SEBRING -- Pre-trial conferences for the defendants in the Aaron Doty murder case took place Tuesday and Wednesday at the Highlands County Courthouse.
The investigation began in June when Doty's body was found after he was reportedly beaten into unconsciousness at a party, then taken into the woods and set on fire. Jonathan Rodriguez and Kenneth Felipe were arrested and have been charged with first-degree murder in the caase.
A lengthy docket set a long wait in motion Tuesday as Adriana Rodriguez, Travis Makris and Nicole Hebert, each charged with being an accessory after the fact to Doty's murder, appeared for their pre-trial conferences.
Felipe also faced pre-trial conference with Judge Angela Cowden Tuesday.
Felipe, Rodriguez and Hebert each were given a continuation during Tuesday's conference. The three defendants are scheduled to appear again before a judge on January, 23, 2013.
Makris' conference also resulted in a continuation. Makris' next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 20.
Jonathan Rodriguez had a pre-trial conference on Wednesday that was not complete at press time.