Murder suspects make first court appearance

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The two men accused of killing a homeless man in Wilmington last week made their first court appearance this morning.

Eric Nathan Partin, 26, and Jaquan Orlando Copeland, 25, are both charged with first degree murder in the death of Steven Robert Barton, 47.

A recycling worker found Barton lying near the road on Hooper Street around 8:00 a.m. Friday.

Barton had been shot and killed.

During Partin’s and Copeland’s court appearance, the judge assigned them a public defender and ordered them held without bond.

Their next court appearance is May 18.