Arraignment was held Monday morning in Calloway District Court for the man accused of murdering a Murray State University student who had family in the Hopkinsville area.
District Judge Randall Hutchens read the murder, felony auto theft and tampering with evidence charges to 22-year old Julius Sotomayor, who gave an Almo address, and appointed him a public defender until he’s able to hire a private attorney.
The judge left Sotomayor’s bond at $1 million and imposed restrictions he will be under if he’s able to make that bond.
The body of 21-year old Sarah Townsend of Farmville, Virginia was found Friday morning on Fox Road near McCuiston Drive in Calloway County. An autopsy determined Townsend died from multiple gunshot wounds, according to a news release from Kentucky State Police.
It was also determined her Toyota Camry was stolen and traffic cameras in central Georgia observed the vehicle there. Further investigation identified Sotomayor as a suspect and police found that he had returned home with the stolen vehicle early Saturday morning.
Judge Hutchens will hear testimony from an investigator at Sotomayor’s preliminary hearing April 7 and decide if there’s enough evidence to send the case for consideration by a grand jury.
Townsend was a pre-veterinary student at Murray State, according to the campus newspaper.
