Clovis double murder suspect speaks in court
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A somber looking Dave McCann spoke few words in court, but the Clovis double murder suspect revealed a bit about his financial situation.
McCann is charged with the murders of his wife, Tierney Cooper McCann, and his mother-in-law, Judith Cooper.
Action News broke the news that the case could lead to a death penalty.
McCann spoke publicly Friday for the first time since the murders made him the subject of a statewide manhunt. He really didn't say much at all in court, but he said enough to know he doesn't have much in the way of support, at least financially.
"Mr. McCann, are you waiving time for your arraignment?" asked Judge Jon Skiles.
"Yes sir," the double murder defendant said.
McCann clenched his jaw as he agreed to delay answering to the charges against him. Prosecutors say he killed his wife and mother-in-law last weekend, then went on the run along the Central Coast for days.
His defense attorney says McCann seemed sad Friday.
"He's in a system now that he's completely unfamiliar with," said Scott Baly. "Just his run, I think he's been through a lot."
Prosecutors say the entire community has been through a lot and they wanted to make sure McCann can't pose any more danger. William Lacy asked the
judge to make sure McCann had no chance of bailing out.
"He eluded law enforcement for five days, you know, traveling out of county, heading over to the coast, so in light of that it's best if he stays in custody," Lacy said.
The judge ordered no bail, but among the few words McCann spoke in court was a mention that it wouldn't matter anyway. He told Baly, his public defender, he doesn't have the money to post bail or to hire a private attorney.
The charges against him include a special circumstance, meaning prosecutors can pursue the death penalty. ABC30 legal analyst Tony Capozzi says it's
possible this is a case where the defendant deserves death, but McCann is unlikely to ever be executed.
"If the death penalty is ever given in this case, it's going to be 20 years from now," Capozzi said. "He may end up dying in San Quentin before the death penalty's ever executed in this case."
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