GILMER, Texas — Editor's Note: The above video aired on Dec. 5, 2023.
An East Texas man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend and her sister in November pleaded not guilty to capital murder in court Tuesday afternoon.
Alvin Charles McKnight Jr., 41, of Gilmer, was indicted Feb. 1 in connection with the Nov. 4 shooting deaths of Dermetrica Waters, 37, and Mandy Ray, 35, both of Gilmer, at an Upshur County home. He was arrested on Nov. 15 in California after he was on the run since the shooting. He remains in the Upshur County Jail on a $5 million bond.
During a formal arraignment Tuesday in the 115th District Court, McKnight's lawyer said he would enter a plea of not guilty at this time. The hearing was McKnight's first court appearance since he was indicted or formally charged with capital murder.
If a person is found guilty of capital murder in Texas, they face life in prison without parole or the death penalty.
The judge set his next pre-trial hearing for April 3.
Prior to his capture, the Texas Department of Public Safety had added McKnight to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List. A combined Crime Stoppers reward of $17,500 was offered for information leading to his arrest.
His sister, Laquesha Monique McKnight, 38, of Longview, was arrested for interfering with/hindering his arrest. Officials believe she helped him escape from the Upshur County area the night of the murders.