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Alexis Murphy’s accused abductor appears in court

Posted at 7:00 PM, Aug 13, 2013
and last updated 2013-08-14 07:14:49-04

NELSON COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) -- Ten days after 17-year-old Alexis Murphy went missing, her accused abductor appeared in Nelson County Juvenile Court Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the search for Alexis continued.

Randy Taylor, 48, appeared calm and stoic in his ten minute court room appearance. He wore his jail uniform and answered the judge politely.

"Do you understand what I have explained to you?," Judge Hon. Kenneth W. Farrar asked Taylor after he read him his charge.

"Yes sir," Taylor answered.

The judge then asked Taylor whether or not he wanted him to appoint him an attorney.

"Yes sir," Taylor again said.

COMPLETE COVERAGE: The Search for Alexis Murphy

COMPLETE COVERAGE: The Search for Alexis Murphy

Farrar appointed Scott De Bruin, a Charlottesville and Nelson County attorney, to be his lawyer.

De Bruin will go up against Nelson County Commonwealth Attorney Anthony Martin, who is not saying much about the case -- reiterating that the evidence against Taylor remains sealed.

When CBS 6 reporter Joe St. George had a moment alone with Martin following Tuesday's hearing, St. George asked him if this was the biggest case of his career.

"You could say its something like that," Martin said.

Taylor is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 9, but it is likely an earlier hearing will occur before then.

Stay with CBS 6 News and WTVR.com for the latest developments on this story. 

COMPLETE COVERAGE: The Search for Alexis Murphy