FORT SMITH (KFSM) - A man accused of killing his pregnant girlfriend pleaded not guilty before a judge Wednesday (July 30), at the Sebastian County Courts building.
Douglas D. True appeared in court on Monday (July 28) before Judge James Cox, where he was charged with two counts of capital murder according to a news release from Prosecuting Attorney Daniel Shue.
One count was for the deceased girlfriend, 22-year-old Briana Butler, and the other count was for her unborn child, according to officials.
True was arrested last week after police found the body of his girlfriend, Briana Butler and a sleeping two-year- old with minor injures to her face at his Fort Smith home.
Investigators said Butler, who was five or six months pregnant at the time, was knifed to death.
Lynn Lisk, who is a law professor at the University of Arkansas in Fort Smith said True could face the death penalty. " The possible punishment for capital murder includes death and the possibility of parole," said Lisk. " The prosecutor has to make a decision whether or not they are going to seek the death penalty."
The prosecution is still determining whether they'll seek the death penalty in this case. Meanwhile, True remains behind bars at the Sebastian County Detention Center, without bond.
True was appointed a public defender to represent him at trial, according to Prosecutor Daniel Shue.
No future court date for True has been set.
