Suspect in killing of SAU student faces Dec. 3 hearing

MAGNOLIA — A pretrial hearing has been scheduled on Dec. 3 for Odies Wilson, one of four people arrested after the killing of a Southern Arkansas University student.

The other three — Quincy Lewis, 19 of Little Rock; Shaivonn “Shakey” Robinson, 19, of Vacherie, La.; and Le’Kamerin “Kam” Tolbert, 20, of Little Rock — will make their appearances at the 13th Judicial District Circuit Court on Nov. 19.

Joshua Keshun Smith, a 21-year-old student from Sparkman studying engineering physics, was killed in the shooting. Another student, whose name has not been released, was wounded, requiring hospitalization.

The Aug. 11 shooting on the campus of Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia took place after midnight on the morning of the first day of fall classes. Four men, three of them Southern Arkansas University students, have been held in the Columbia County jail without bail in connection with the shooting. They face capital murder and aggravated robbery charges.

Wilson, 21, of North Little Rock, appeared Thursday afternoon at the 13th Judicial District Circuit Court of Columbia County, with Judge David Talley presiding.

Wilson stood at a podium with a screen around it, facing the stand. He spoke little during the hearing, only answering Tally’s questions, confirming his age for the judge and stating that he had just completed his junior year of college.

Attorney Ronald Davis Jr., who represents Wilson, requested that the death penalty be waived in Wilson’s case, but the state declined. Wilson and the other capital murder suspects were denied bond during their first appearances on Aug. 17. Wilson’s family viewed the proceedings, sitting together in the back of the courtroom.

Prosecutor Ryan Phillips of Rainwater and Associates represents the state.

Davis said after the hearing Thursday that the state should expect motions over waiving the death penalty in Wilson’s case. It is a move Davis says would protect his client’s constitutional rights by challenging the constitutionality of the death penalty as an option in Wilson’s case.

Davis stated that between now and Dec. 3, he would file a motion for a bond hearing for his client. In a bond hearing, a case agent or investigator will come forward and read a statement about the case, typically an affidavit of sorts. The defense will bring forward witnesses as well.