La Plata, MD – Joshua Terrell Mebane, 20 of Waldorf, entered a plea of not guilty to first-degree murder charges Monday, Sept. 26 before Charles County Circuit Court Judge Amy J. Bragunier.
Mebane is facing life without parole in 2012 murder of Theresa Barr in the Hampshire Circle neighborhood of Waldorf.
He will face trial in January 2017.
“This is a crime that basically terrified a neighborhood,” said Charles County State’s Attorney Tony Covington. “It was two people out walking their dog. They were shot seemingly with no motive.”
The defendant was 17-years-old when he was charged with 12 counts.
On Monday, Mebane was in court for a motions hearing.
“You are entering a plea of not guilty in this case?” Bragunier asked.
“Yes, ma’am,” he replied.
His appearance has been delayed four years while the defendant was charged and prosecuted for shooting and killing a cab driver in Washington, D.C.
“That actually took place before this shooting,” Covington noted.
He was convicted and is serving a 45-year sentence for that crime.
Mebane was 17 when he confronted Teresa Bass, 40, and her husband, 43, in the Hampshire neighborhood of Waldorf Oct. 26, 2012.
According to police reports, Charles County Sheriff’s Office investigators received information Nov. 9, 2012 that Mebane was involved in a homicide in Washington, D.C. and was possibly connected to the shooting in Waldorf.
Investigators from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office and the Metropolitan Police Department conducted an investigation and Mebane was arrested later that night and charged in connection with the homicide in the district.
CCSO investigators continued with the investigation and subsequently served a search warrant at Mebane’s home where evidence was recovered linking Mebane to the shooting in Hampshire.
Covington said Mebane was being held in Terre Haute, Indiana.
Charles County Public Defender Michael Beach said is office is working with the state to try to come up with another motions date before the trial.
“I assume there’s no request for a bond hearing,” Covington said.
Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com