By HEATHER PYLES, CJ Staff Writer
The attorney for one of two people accused of killing an elderly man in his residence in November has asked that they be tried separately in Pulaski Circuit Court.
During a preliminary hearing on Friday, local attorney Jim Cox who is defending Rafael Robinson, 27, requested that Robinson and the other suspect charged with the death of Homer Carrender, Peggy Mina, 45, be granted separate trials.
Robinson and Mina were indicted in January by a Pulaski County grand jury on murder, robbery and other related charges in connection with the Nov. 6, 2009 killing of Carrender, 72, in his residence at Pleasant Hill Apart-ments on McKee Road.
Somerset Police discovered Carrender’s body in the early morning hours on Saturday, Nov. 8. after officers allegedly came upon Robinson in Carrender’s vehicle in the McKee Road area. Officers decided to check on Carrender after arresting Robinson at around 12:30 a.m. Saturday.
They discovered Carrender’s body at 1:44 a.m. He was pronounced dead just under an hour later by the Pulaski County Coroner’s Office.
There was evidence that Carrender had received blunt force trauma injuries to the head and face.
Mina was arrested that Monday, Nov. 9 at her home.
Robinson is facing murder, first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary, theft by unlawful taking over $500, and persistent felony offender charges.
Mina is facing murder, first-degree complicity to robbery, first-degree complicity to burglary, and theft by unlawful taking over $500 charges.
Pulaski Circuit Judge David A. Tapp stated during the hearing that he would take the request under consideration and rule on that in 30 days. A trial date is still set for sometime in July.
Robinson and Mina have remained in the Pulaski County Detention Center since their arrests on a $1,000,000 cash bond.
