Alphonso Roberts’ request to attend mother’s funeral denied

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In court Tuesday morning, a judge denied Alphonso Roberts’ request to be transported from jail to his mother’s funeral without more information about the jail’s process of releasing and transporting inmates.

Alphonso Roberts, 32, is being charged with second-degree murder while armed of 23-year old Maurico Walker, who was found shot on Feb. 10. Roberts was arrested March 24.

Roberts’ lawyer said in court that Roberts’ sister submitted a request to the jail for his transport and thought the jail needed a release request from the court. Judge Morin said even if the court granted the request, it would not guarantee Roberts’ release.

“Based on the information now, I wouldn’t order the release,” he said. “The court’s sole power is to order the release, but the jail has administrative power to do so or not.”

Roberts’ mother’s funeral is this Friday and he is expected to appear in court again on May 9.