Triple homicide defendant assigned public defender

An Associate Circuit judge appointed a public defender for triple homicide suspect Joshua Maylee during a status hearing today.

Maylee, 23, of Holts Summit, is accused of killing Jeffrey Werdehausen as well as Eugene and Jackie Pinet in October. Maylee was arrested in Cooper County after a two-day manhunt.

In addition to the first-degree murder and assault charges, Maylee faces a previous theft charge.

Judge Carol England scheduled an appearance at 9 a.m. Jan. 28 with a preliminary hearing on all of Maylee's cases set for 1:30 p.m. Feb. 22.