DADE CITY - The teenager accused of killing a Pasco Sheriff's Office lieutenant is scheduled to appear in Circuit Judge Wayne Cobb's courtroom for the first time next month to answer to a charge of first-degree murder.
Prosecutors set an arraignment date of July 14 for Alfredie Steele Jr., 19, in the killing of Lt. Charles "Bo" Harrison on June 1. Cobb requires defendants to appear in person for arraignment, when they are required to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty to the charges presented against them.
Steele's public defender, Tom Hanlon, said Wednesday that Steele will plead not guilty.
Hanlon said doctors continue to evaluate his client as the defense team begins the lengthy process of learning everything they can about Steele and the case being built against him. Prosecutors will eventually be required to turn over the collected evidence so the defense can prepare for trial. Hanlon said that material will go a long way to helping the defense build a strategy.
Hanlon said he met briefly with Steele on Friday at a jail in Sumter County where he is being held.
Harrison, 57, was shot in the back with a high-powered rifle while on surveillance outside Rumors nightclub in Lacoochee. He was less than two weeks from retirement.
The Sheriff's Office and a law firm have offered a reward to anyone who helps investigators locate an SKS rifle they believe was used in the crime. The SKS is a gas-operated, military-style semiautomatic weapon about 40 inches long and weighing 8.8 pounds.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to call Detective Jennifer Christensen at 1-800-854-2862, ext. 5119. Tipsters can remain anonymous.
