Sowell won't be in court until April

Christopher Sowell, 17, won't be back in court until April after a judge issued a continuance on the case before Sowell's most recent court date, which had been scheduled for Monday.

Sowell, who until recently was being held in custody in connection with the murder of 11-year-old Jessica Willams, is due back in court on April 21 for motion and plea hearing, with a May 5 trial date on the books.

On Jan. 9, Sowell was released on a $25,000 bond. The Gosnell teenager initially admitted to murdering Williams when taken into custody back in August, but later pleaded not guilty. Sowell's attorney, John Bradley, declined comment on the case because of a gag order put in affect by a judge in September.

Earlier this month, Freddie Sharp III, 29, was taken into custody, accused of rape in connection with the case. Sharp is scheduled to appear in Circuit Court in Blytheville on Feb. 27

cpinkard@blythevillecourier.com