Man charged with capital murder in Newton deaths
Update (5:00 p.m.): The man charged in the deaths of a Newton mother and daughter made his first appearance in court on Friday.
Keith Hawkins waived his extradition in Texas Friday morning. He was transported back to Kansas.
During a Friday afternoon media briefing, Harvey County Attorney David Yoder said Hawkins was charged with two counts of the first-degree murder in each person's death and capital murder for killing them both at the same time.
A motion to seek the death penalty has not been filed at this time.
"That is something that is still on the table and being considered," said Yoder.
He said he first wants to sit down with the families of 24-year-old Alyssa Runyon and four-year-old Zaylynn Paz before making a decision.
Yoder said a primary motive for the crime is being developed but he would not release any other details and said the investigation continues.
He said Hawkins and Runyon knew each other and he was her residence with her knowledge on a voluntarily basis.
Yoder said the crime was committed sometime between late Monday night and early Tuesday morning.
It is possible Hawkins could face other charges in the case, but Yoder said his office has to await forensic information, autopsy results and other updates from the investigation before making that determination.
Hawkins is being held in the Harvey County Detention Center on a $2.5 million bond.
http://www.kwch.com/content/news/Suspect-in-Newton-double-homicide-leaves-Texas-jail-439868293.html
