The person accused of killing two people in Colorado last year before fleeing the state appeared in court on Friday, where an El Paso County judge denied a motion to limit pretrial publicity.

Johnny Rankin Morris, 46, faces homicide charges for allegedly causing the deaths of Stephen Walker, 37, and Timmy Huston, 65.

According to previous Gazette reporting, on Dec. 19 Walker and Morris were reported missing after law enforcement discovered pools of blood at their residence on the 1800 block of Pima Drive in El Paso County just east of Colorado Springs.

After several days, the investigation led to a wooded site outside of El Paso County, where Walker’s body was found.

Huston’s body was found earlier in a nearby residence in Park County. Evidence showed the “known occupant” of that residence had at least indirect ties to Morris and Walker, officials said.

Morris was arrested in Pear River County, Miss., in December along with 43-year-old Hailey Cole after a call came in about an attempted car break-in. Cole is listed as an occupant of the residence where Huston’s body was found.

At Friday’s hearing, Morris’ attorney Savannah Fox discussed a motion to limit pretrial publicity. Specifically, Fox asked the judge to prohibit law enforcement and the District Attorney’s Office from speaking with media about the case.

Judge David Prince denied the motion, stating he didn’t believe the current level of media covering the case created prejudice for Morris, but added that he would be willing to discuss the issue further in the future.

Morris faces 11 charges including first-degree murder, second-degree murder, tampering with a human body, aggravated robbery and more. Morris faces a second homicide case in Park County, but Joseph Eden said he expects the case to be dismissed next week so it can be tried in El Paso County.

Cole faces criminal charges in Park County on charges related to the death of Huston and is slated to appear in court on Monday for a hearing.

Morris and Cole remain in custody, Morris on a no-bond hold and Cole on a $5 million bond, according to court records.

Morris will return to court on May 30 for a preliminary hearing.