Chisholm, Harris plead not guilty to murder

Daquon Tavez Chisholm and Brian Xavier Harris both pleaded not guilty Tuesday to the murder of William Andrew Edwards.

At a preliminary hearing in Columbus Recorder's Court, both were denied bond on the murder charge as well as one of armed robbery.

Each received a $25,000 bond on the charge of the possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

The cases have been bound over to Muscogee County Superior Court.

Edwards was a homeless man who was found murdered in his tent in the woods near Second Avenue on July 26.

The cause of death was given as blunt force trauma to the head.

According to police testimony, both men admitted to being on the scene but each accused the other of killing Edwards.

Police said the weapon used to strike Edwards was a pistol and it was found with Chisholm.

There was no witness to the crime but police said information from a "concerned citizen" helped lead them to the men.

In court, police said Chisholm told officers that Harris hit Edwards with the gun then dropped the weapon which he picked up and later cleaned.

Police said Harris told officers he was just passing by when Chisholm struck Edwards.

It is believed marijuana and pills were taken from Edwards.

The men were arrested at a house on Second Avenue not far from the crime scene.

This story was originally published August 4, 2015 at 10:24 AM with the headline "Chisholm, Harris plead not guilty to murder."