Update: Burton jailed in Maryland
Accused murderer Matthew N. Burton, 28, of Dagsboro, has been extradited to Maryland, where he remains jailed without bond.
Superior Court Judge T. Henley Graves ordered Burton's extradition during an Aug. 16 hearing in Georgetown. Shortly after the hearing, Burton was taken by Maryland State Police to Snow Hill, Md., for his initial Maryland court appearance.
Beau Oglesby, state’s attorney for Worcester County, said Burton was denied bail during the initial appearance, and is being held at the Worcester County Jail in Snow Hill.
At a bail hearing Aug. 17, Burton was ordered held without bond in Maryland. Oglesby said Burton appeared before Judge Gerald Purnell in Maryland District Court, represented by the Office of the Public Defender at the hearing.
Oglesby requested Burton be held without bond given his out-of-state address, attempts to fight extradition and the “very real danger” he poses to the community if allowed pretrial release.
Burton's Maryland attorney, Flynn Owens, has not yet filed paperwork in Worcester County to represent him. He is expected to represent Burton in future court appearances.
Following the hearing, Oglesby praised police and prosecutors in both Delaware and Maryland. “The cooperation and collaboration between the two jurisdictions has been seamless,” he said.
No other court dates were set at press time.
Burton is charged with first- and second-degree murder in the death of Nicole Bennett, a 35-year-old wife and mother of three from Long Neck.
Bennett was last heard from June 14 as she worked at Bay Shore Community Church outside Gumboro. Burton was also working at the church that night as a part-time custodian.
Bennett was found dead along a rural road outside Whaleyville, Md., June 15. She died from asphyxiation, according to the Maryland Medical Examiner’s Office.
After police found DNA evidence linking Burton to Bennett's death, a U.S. Marshal's Task Force arrested Burton outside Rehoboth Beach July 6.
Oglesby thanked the Office of The Attorney General for Delaware, Maryland State Police Homicide Unit, Worcester County Bureau of Investigation, Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division and Delaware State Police for their work and dedication.
