Correspondent

Juvenile Court Judge Robert Estep set bond at $1 million for the suspect in the 2004 murder of Curtis Robinson in New Tazewell.

Robinson was found in the New Tazewell Trailer Park on Sept. 27, 2004 with multiple stab wounds, which caused his death. His 1997 Nissan van was missing at the time. Officers in Paw Paw, Mich. stopped the van in early October of this year for speeding and learned that it was stolen. New Tazewell Detective Wayne Mewhinney and Agent James Whitson of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation traveled to Michigan on Oct. 17th and charged the driver of the van with the homicide of Robinson. The suspect was extradited to Claiborne County and arraigned on Oct. 28th.

The suspect does not speak or understand English. State certified interpreter Ramon Cordero of Greeneville translated the proceedings. Specific charges are first degree murder, theft, and especially aggravated robbery. The suspect acknowledged that he understood the charges against him. Assistant District Attorney Jared Effler stated that the suspect is indigent and requested that Judge Estep appoint counsel. The Public Defenders Office will provide legal services. At the time that the suspect allegedly committed the crimes he is charged with, he was a juvenile and is currently being tried in juvenile court.