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'Absolutely not guilty': Accused killer Cedric Marks makes plea in Bell County court

Marks is accused of killing his ex-girlfriend Jenna Scott and her friend Michael Swearingin.

TEMPLE, Texas — Accused killer Cedric Marks was in court Friday facing charges of tampering with evidence, burglary and capital murder.

Marks pleaded not guilty to all charges. When asked what he pleads to the capital murder charge he said, “Absolutely not guilty.”

RELATED: Cedric Marks formally charged with burglary of habitation

Marks is accused of killing his ex-girlfriend Jenna Scott and her friend Michael Swearingin. The two went missing on Jan. 4, according to their families and police. Police said their bodies were found in a rural Oklahoma town on Jan. 15.

RELATED: Cedric Marks: An in-depth look at a long and violent criminal past

After leading police on a 9-hour manhunt in Montgomery County during his extradition from Michigan, Marks was booked into the Bell County Jail on Feb. 3.

VIDEO: How did Cedric Marks escape custody?

He was also indicted on burglary of habitation on March 13.  

The medical examiner's summary report showed Swearingin's cause of death was strangulation. Scott died of "homicidal violence," her medical examiner's summary report said.

RELATED: Cause of death named in killing of Jenna Scott, Temple woman found dead in Oklahoma

Marks arrived in court just before 9:40 a.m. Friday in shackles and two guards at his side. He seemed calm and collected throughout the arraignment. A clean-shaved Marks even smiled at one point during his 10-minute court appearance.

After the hearing, Channel 6 reporter Jasmin Caldwell spoke with Marks' attorney Michael White who said his relationship with Marks is strained after  Marks hired two private investigators against White's advice.

White said Marks could face up to 99 years in prison for the burglary charge plus a fine up to $10,000. The tampering with evidence charge carries a two to 10-year sentence and a fine up to $10,000.

"We talked about the possibility of the death penalty," White said in regards to the murder charge.

Life in prison is also on the table, White said. He said he should know the state’s plans in a week or two.

RELATED: Cedric Marks: An in-depth look at a long and violent criminal past

Catch up on the case:

RELATED: Judge raises bonds for suspects accused of murdering Temple duo

RELATED: Judge 'not comfortable' with dismissing protective order, ruling MMA fighter Cedric Marks acted in self-defense

RELATED: Accused killer Cedric Marks claims innocence from Bell County Jail

RELATED: Cedric Marks killed Jenna Scott, Michael Swearingin at Killeen home, witness claims in arrest affidavit

RELATED: 'It's just unbelievable.' Michael Swearingin's girlfriend describes moment she learned of Cedric Marks' escape

RELATED: Breaking down the Jenna Scott and Michael Swearingin case: How Cedric Marks fits in

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