NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. — The man accused of killing Nassau County Deputy Joshua Moyers last month appeared before a judge Thursday morning on a first-degree murder charge.
[ ‘It’s either him or me’: Arrest warrant reveals chilling new details in murder of Nassau deput ]
Patrick McDowell, who is the sole suspect in Moyers’ murder, appeared via video conference at 11 a.m. from JSO headquarters in Duval County.
In addition to a first-degree murder charge, the 35-year-old faces multiple counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and a charge of injuring a K9.
According to the sheriff’s office, McDowell shot the deputy twice during a traffic stop on Sept. 24 in Callahan. Moyers died of his injuries two days later.
McDowell was captured at a baseball field a few miles from the shooting five days later after a massive multi-agency manhunt.
McDowell pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Florida State Attorney Melissa Nelson announced earlier this month that the state intends to seek the death penalty.
Breiana Tole, who is accused of trying to help McDowell evade arrest during the search, appeared virtually before a judge from the Nassau County jail. Tole is accused of trying to help McDowell evade arrest by driving to the sports field where he was hiding, according to deputies.
Tole, 27, faces a charge of felony accessory after the fact. She pleaded not guilty.
Their trials are set for March 22, 2022.
[ ‘He crawled out like a coward’: Man wanted in murder of Nassau deputy captured after 5-day manhunt ]