Published: November 12, 2009 05:39 pm      

Accused murder suspects arraigned in district court

Somerset — Two people charged with the murder of an elderly Somerset man appeared in court yesterday.

Rafael Robinson, 26, and Peggy Mina, 45, both of Science Hill, were arraigned in Pulaski District Court Thursday for charges levied against them in the death of Homer Carrender, 72, of Pleasant Hill Apartments on McKee Road.

Public defender Jim Cox, representing Robinson during Thursday’s proceedings, entered a motion to preserve evidence and gave the court notice that Robinson would assert his Fifth Amendment rights during the arraignment.

Robinson was arrested after midnight on Saturday after officers with the Somerset Police Department discovered him behind the wheel of a vehicle belonging to Carrender. Around an hour after that, at approximately 1:44 a.m., Carrender’s body was discovered in his home when officers decided to check on him to determine whether he knew his car had been stolen.

Robinson, who has been charged with murder and first-degree robbery, was pulled over by an officer at the intersection of Ky. 2227 and McKee Road after he was observed operating the vehicle without headlights.

The Pulaski County Coroner’s Office pronounced Carrender dead at 2:30 a.m. Saturday, and an autopsy revealed Carrender had died from stab wounds to the chest. Evidence was also found that Carrender had received blunt force trauma injuries to the head and face.

Mina was arrested Monday afternoon and charged with complicity to commit murder and complicity to commit robbery.

During Thursday’s hearing, Mina, through a temporarily-appointed public defender, indicated she would plead not guilty to the charges.

By Monday, investigators with SPD uncovered two objects they believe to have been used in the apparent homicide — a knife and a steel rod. Investigators also uncovered items taken from Carrender’s residence, along with clothes with blood believed to be Carrender’s.

Both defendants are scheduled to appear in court next Thursday, Nov. 19, for a preliminary hearing. Robinson and Mina are being held in the Pulaski County Detention Center without bond.