Darian Atkinson makes initial court appearance

Nineteen-year-old Darian Atkinson had his initial court appearance at the Harrison County Jail this morning. He is charged with capital murder in the killing of veteran Biloxi Police Officer Robert McKeithen.

Atkinson told the Justice Court judge he didn’t have a chance to make a phone call yet so he was unsure if he was going to hire an attorney or have a court-appointed attorney. He will have until Friday to decide at his next court appearance.

Twenty-one year-old Davian Atkinson, Darian’s older brother, also had his initial court appearance.

The judge told Davian his charge of accessory after the fact is due to driving Darian to Wiggins and letting him make phone calls after the killing. Davian told the judge he would hire his own attorney.

Davian is held on a $500,000 bond and could face up to 20 years in prison while Darian was not entitled to a bond and could face the death penalty if convicted.