Suspect enters not guilty plea in murder

MOBILE, Alabama (WALA) - It's no bond for Carlos Kennedy, the man police say murdered retired Mobile realtor Zoa White. His preliminary hearing has been set for September 20.

Kennedy, 24, has been charged with capital murder in White's death. White, 69, was found dead in her Springhill Avenue home in June 2010.

Habib Yazdi, Kennedy's attorney, entered a not guilty plea today by reason of temporary insanity.

"I haven't looked at all of the evidence because I just got the case today, but I want to make sure all of our bases are covered," said Yazdi.

Yazdi was appointed to represent Kennedy Friday.

The district attorney's office said Kennedy worked with his father installing Direct TV, but didn't say if he was working there at the time of White's murder.

Chief Assistant District Attorney Jo Beth Murphree said there is no evidence to support a temporary insanity plea.

Laurie Miller, the victim's daughter, was in court Friday. It was the first time she has see her mother's accused murderer.

"It is a bittersweet day," said Miller. "I plan to be at every court hearing."

The district attorney's office say the crime was a random act of violence.

"We don't think they knew each other at all, but it is still under investigation," said Mobile County District Attorney John Tyson, Jr.

While details of the brutal murder are still unknown, the suspect’s criminal history is coming to light.

Kennedy's past shows an indecent exposure charge in Mobile, which begs the question: is there a sexual component to the case?

"You are asking me to get inside the mind of a criminal, and I can't do that. I can tell you that is something we will explore," said Mobile Police Chief Tyrone Williams.

Chief Williams said evidence gathered at the crime scene and later processed led authorities to Kennedy.

"We collected physical evidence and some of it led to Kennedy," added Chief Williams.

Williams won't say what the evidence was and he can't confirm reports that Kennedy had been watching the retired realtor before allegedly killing her. However, he did say Kennedy is the only known suspect in this case at this time.