Traskwood backyard murder suspect denied bond

BENTON, AR - A judge Thursday said he would not hear a defense motion to reduce the bond of the woman accused of killing two people and burying them in the backyard of her Traskwood home until her mental evaluation is complete.

Marissa Wright, 50, appearing in an orange and white striped jail uniform, told the Saline County circuit judge Gary Arnold she tripped over her ankle shackles and fell walking into court and injured her knees.  The judge advised her to walk slower in the future.

Wright's defense attorney argued for a lower bond, citing that his client has lived in the Traskwood area her entire life and is not a threat to leave.

Saline County deputy prosecutor Rebecca Bush argued against any bond.  Arnold decided not to rule on the motion until the results of the Wright's mental evaluation are complete.

Wright is charged with killing Joe Lee Richards, Jr, her one time boyfriend, in 2010 and then burying him in the backyard of the Traskwood home she shared with her father.

Investigators unearthed Richards Jr, remains in October along with that of Randall Anderson.

Detectives say Anderson was killed by Wright and Jay Beeson, 53, in 2008 at the same home.

Kathy Richards Blue, the sister of Richards Jr, attended the hearing Thursday morning.  Due to poor acoustics and lack of microphones, she stood near Wright in the courtroom in order to follow on with proceedings.   Blue told FOX16 News Wright said "hello" to her.

"I look at her and I'm just like 'how in the world could you have done this," Blue says. "How could she be this type of person when she had been so nice to me."

Blue says Wright and her younger brother had plans to get married before they ended their relationship and detectives say Wright ended his life.

Wright is due back in court February 27th for an update on her mental evaluation and to set a trial date.