'Combative' Homicide Suspect Misses Bond Hearing

The man charged with murder in the death of Jasmine Marrone missed the scheduled bond hearing Monday evening after guards said he became combative. 

Nearly 15 minutes past the scheduled time for the bond hearing, a guard walked, telling the judge, "He's still in his cell."

The media was told the hearing was postponed until 8 a.m. Tuesday. However, after media left, the judge held the bond hearing without the suspect present. The charge of murder is non-bondable. 

James Randall Carpenter was arrested Sunday after police found him in possession of Marrone's vehicle with her dead body inside. Berkeley County Coroner Bill Salisbury announced Monday her death was homicide by strangulation. Summerville Police noted large amounts of blood on Carpenter's clothing at the time of his arrest.

According to an initial police report, when officers asked about Marrone's body, the 33-year-old man allegedly responded: "She hit me and I hit her back."

Friends of Marrone waited outside the detention center Monday night.

According to friends Katrina and John Benton, Marrone and Carpenter were seen together before 7 p.m. Saturday near Folly Road. Marrone introduced Carpenter as a friend, Katrina Benton said.

John Benton added that Carpenter seemed "standoffish" and "shy."

"I just want whoever did it to have to see justice because this was uncalled for," Katrina Benton said, describing 21-year-old Marrone as "a wonderful girl" who liked skateboarding and listening to the band Him.

According to the Bentons, Marrone was down visiting and picking up some things. She had moved from the area in January and was living in Nashville. They said she was scheduled to leave Tuesday or Wednesday.

Edited 8:15 a.m. Sept. 25 to add new information about the bond hearing Monday night.