In shocking news, the suspect in the brutal murder of 11-year-old Audrey Cunningham, who has a swastika tattoo, refused to wear clothes at his arraignment and ended up appearing in court with only a blanket wrapped around his waist. A new video program has been revealed.
Don Stephen McDougall, 42, was naked in his cell last Wednesday when shocked Polk County sheriff’s deputies brought him to the hearing, footage shows. Published by ABC13.
“come, [the justice of the peace] I would like to talk to you. where are your clothes? last! ” says the lawmaker.
“It’s not like I don’t have clothes,” McDougall replied. A large swastika tattoo was clearly visible on his left shoulder.
“Hey, hey, don’t disrespect me like that. Well, that’s it. Wrap yourself in a blanket,” the lieutenant says to McDougall.
A suspect accused of secret murder appears to be grinning as he later stands before a magistrate wearing only a blanket around his waist.
He is then read his Miranda rights and asked if he wants a public defender.
“I’m going to hire a lawyer,” the murder suspect told officials.
“Are you going to hire yourself? Okay, just sign here and you’ll be fine. Your charge carries the death penalty. That’s not a bond,” the judge tells him in a surreal exchange. .
Audrey, of Livingston, Texas, was found tied to a rock at the bottom of a river on February 20, six days after she went missing.
She was last seen with a family friend, Ms. McDougal, who has a lengthy rap sheet that includes a prison sentence for child seduction.
He lived in a camper on his family’s property, according to the indictment.
In a horrific crime, the suspect often walked the girl to the bus stop before murdering her and dumping her body in a river.
McDougal, a neo-Nazi with alleged ties to the Aryan Brotherhood, was first taken into custody on February 16 on an unrelated assault charge (a stabbing charge) and was sitting in the Polk County Jail when officers discovered his body. .
Meanwhile, Audrey’s family released a statement expressing their grief and gratitude for the support from the community, but saying the system had failed them.
“Audrey Danielle Cunningham was seduced under false pretenses, which led to a senseless act of violence that ultimately resulted in her death,” they said in a statement. Statement to Fox 26.
“Sadly, Audrey’s death occurred just 10 days after her 11th birthday at the hands of a monster we thought was a friend,” her loved ones said.
“Unfortunately, due to loopholes in the sex offender registration system, this system did not work. Don Stephen McDougall had a history of neglecting the children of young women, but in an attempt to start a new life, “We did not see this when we checked the register before allowing us to stay in an old camper in our backyard while we were there,” they continued. .
“If we knew what we know now, this man would never have set foot on our property, much less become a part of our little girl’s life. There would not have been,” their statement said.
They described Audrey as a “charismatic, beautiful, talented and kind young woman”. She loved singing, dancing, reading, and drawing, and she was also learning the skills of a tattoo artist.
“Above all, her passion was caring for and playing with animals. Audrey’s dream was to become a veterinarian or animal trainer,” the grieving family added.
