The courthouse was crowded yesterday as the man accused of killing a Covington priest and his longtime assistant returned to court for trial preparations.
Antonio Tyson faces two counts of first-degree murder in the killings of Father Otis Young and Ruth Prats, a longtime church employee, near St. Peter Church during the Thanksgiving weekend.
Officials said the victims were found burned beyond recognition in downtown Covington.
Police say the victims were watching a Saints game when Tyson entered their home and killed them.
Tyson was indicted in March and pleaded not guilty.
Tyson’s family members, who refrained from making any comments, sat alongside St. Peter Church members and friends of the victims who vowed to attend the court hearings. The defense has been collecting witness statements and police reports as they brace for a case that could potentially result in a death sentence.
Judge August Hand gave both sides until July 13 to turn over more pre-discovery evidence.
