Suspect in priest's disappearance booked into SJC Jail

Steven Murray arrested after Father Rene Robert's car found in SC

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The suspect in the disappearance of Father Rene Robert was booked into the St. Johns County Jail Friday night. Steven Murray is being held on $100,000 bond for fleeing and eluding police.

Steven Murray was extradited from Aiken, South Carolina, where he was arrested late Wednesday night near where the priest's car was found crashed into a tree. Authorities said several weapons were found inside.

Murray has not been charged in the disappearance of Father Rene Robert from St. Augustine.

Robert was last seen Sunday, and authorities are increasingly worried for his safety. Detectives are trying to recreate Murray's route, hoping it leads them to the priest. 

Forensic consultant Michael Knox told News4Jax that Murray’s demeanor, smiling and waving at cameras, while making his first appearance in an Aiken County courtroom, could provide clues for investigators.

"Typically, most people, if you implicate them in some sort of a crime that they've had nothing to do with, denial is the approach," Knox said. "Certainly, if he has any connection to this case, has been involved in some way in a homicide or some type of foul play, then he's fully aware of what they are doing. They're going to take him back to St. John's County, question him in the case. But he sort of exudes a type of confidence as though he thinks, 'Hey, they've got nothing on me.'"

Defense attorney Randy Reep also looked at the video. He says that if the case gets to that point, a jury will almost certainly see that video.

"The idea that someday an attorney, presumptively, might be making the argument that he was very apologetic and sympathetic or showed remorse," Reep said. "We didn't see any of that. And that is going to be difficult later for whoever represents him."

Knox said that detectives will try to get any information they can from Murray and search his cellphone for any clues of his location in the days leading up to his capture. They'll also question the people who know him.

"Very few people can keep their mouth shut about what they've done," Knox said. "Somebody, somewhere has communicated with him and has some information about it. As much as people like to cover up what they do, the more things that a person goes to cover it up, the more clues they are actually leaving behind of what they did and where they went."