Michael Pagels, Little Apple Post

MANHATTAN, Kan.-Alexander Edmond McConnell, Army Corporal Specialist, made his first court appearance Wednesday in Riley County Court via webcam from the Riley County Jail.

McConnell was arrested on Monday and charged with 1st degree murder and abuse of a child.

The hearing with Judge Hochhauser began with a review of the charges including an alternative second charge of abuse of a child including knowingly torturing or cruelly beating or shaking to cause bodily harm.

McConnell applied to have a state attorney represent him, which was denied by Judge Hochhauser due to McConnell’s financial holdings. David McDonald is McConnell’s current attorney.

A preliminary hearing for McConnell will be on October 14th at 1 p.m. with Judge William Malcolm presiding.