Judge hears details of Clarksdale candidate's slaying

Marco McMillian
Marco McMillian

CLARKSDALE – (AP) A Mississippi judge has allowed prosecutors to proceed with their case against a man charged in the death of mayoral candidate Marco McMillian.

The Press Register reports that Circuit Court Judge Charles Webster heard details of the investigation during a preliminary hearing Friday for Lawrence Reed, accused of killing McMillian.

Sheriff's office investigator Marene Jones said phone records indicate McMillian and Reed knew each other before the Clarksville candidate's nude, battered body was found Feb. 27 near a Mississippi River levee.

Jones said Reed told investigators that McMillian invited him to a party before driving him on a back road, stopping his vehicle and watching pornography on his phone.

Reed is accused of strangling McMillian before dumping his body on the levee, dousing it with gasoline and setting it on fire.