Two men arrested in connection with the homicide of a 92-year-old Leesburg woman appeared before a judge Saturday morning.
Krystopher Laws, 21, and Joshua McClellan, 19, have been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Rubye James. They were also charged with home invasion robbery.
- 2 men arrested, accused of killing Rubye James, 92
- Both charged with first-degree murder and home invasion robbery
- RELATED: Body IDed as missing Leesborg woman Rubye James
During the court appearance, the judge denied bond for both men.
Laws and McClellan were arrested Friday night.
While being escorted to jail, McClellan broke into tears, saying he did not kill James. He said she hired him to do yard work. McClellan admitted to taking James’ vehicle, but said he didn’t know it was hers.
“All you know I love that woman,” said McClellan. “I was just out looking at empty cars just to find some money, just to buy some weed. I came by a car that had a key and I just popped it open and I just took it for a drive. I didn’t know it was her car.”
James was reported missing on Monday, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Her body was found in a shallow grave Wednesday evening near Snow Place and Crosby Street.
Her car was found abandoned in the same area.
On Saturday, investigators released affidavits for Laws and McClellan.
According to the documents, Laws admitted that he and McClellan walked to James' house to get money for drugs. They told investigators that James opened the door when they arrived. McClellan admitted to hitting the elderly woman in the head, investigators said. Both men stabbed James multiple times and dragged her to the garage.
Investigators say, the men put James in the back of her vehicle and drove to Snow Place where they buried her in a wooded area.
Laws told law enforcement that they got $70 from the woman's home and spent it on marijuana.