Attempted murder suspects appear before judge

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Two people accused of threatening a traveling preacher, then allegedly stabbing two Good Samaritans that tried to help, pleaded not guilty in a Mobile County courtroom.

Jessie Reid, 26, and Sandra Jarman, 53, appeared before Judge George Hardesty Tuesday morning.

Bond was also addressed for the two suspects.

 Reid's attorney, Jason Darley, told FOX10 News after the hearing that Reid had a probation hold and his client would not be able to get a bond at this time.

However, Darley is hopeful about the outcome of pending charges.

"We have witnesses that will come forward; one, specifically, that's going to give a completely different story than what's been told in the public especially for Mr. Reid. I think he's eventually not going to be cast as an initial aggressor," Darley said.

Jarman was given a $50,000 bond.

Both are charged with two counts of attempted murder .

Authorities say the incident happened in a Wal-Mart parking lot in Semmes . Those with the Mobile Sheriff's Office say 35-year-old Gene Duffy was preaching through a loud-speaker in the parking lot when he was approached by Reid and Jarman. Deputies say the two suspects started attacking Duffy, and allegedly beating him with a gun.

Deputies say that’s when two men in a nearby business came out to help Duffy. Those two individuals, deputies say, were both stabbed multiple times by the suspects .

Both of the men who tried to help Duffy were taken to USA Medical Center for non-life threatening injuries.

A preliminary hearing has been set for September 13 at 2 p.m. for both Reid and Jarman.