Aggravated murder suspect pleads not guilty to double murder in New Boston, Texas

TEXARKANA, Texas – Capital murder suspect Malaki Scott Beckham pleaded not guilty Monday during his arraignment in Bowie County District Court at the Bi-State Justice Center.

Beckham, 19, of New Boston, Texas, was charged Aug. 8 with two counts of murder in the July 6 deaths of Princeton Washington, 19, and Nicholas Webster, 19, while out on bond.

According to court documents, Beckham has hired attorney Alex Washington. His next hearing is scheduled for November 25th.

Police continue to search for 20-year-old Rondarrius “DaeDae” Evans, who is wanted in connection with the deaths of the two teenagers.

Evans has relatives in Pittsburg, Texas, about 76 miles from Texarkana, and may be in that area, according to the New Boston Police Department.

Prison records indicate that Pittsburg is Evans' last address.

Washington died at the scene of the shooting in the 300 block of North Lindsey Street in New Boston. According to an affidavit, Webster was treated at the scene by bystanders before emergency responders arrived. He later died at a local hospital.

Beckham allegedly fled the scene in Washington's vehicle, which was later located at a residence on Peggy Street, about a mile west of North Lindsey. He was arrested on July 11 in Red River County, Texas.

A person may be charged with murder if the killing occurs during the commission of another crime.

Beckham is accused of committing robbery when he allegedly shot Webster and Washington.

If convicted of capital murder, Beckham could face the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole.

At the time of the shooting, Beckham was serving a 10-year probation sentence in Bowie County for a 2022 robbery conviction and a five-year probation sentence for a 2021 credit/debit card misuse conviction.

Anyone with information on Evans' whereabouts can call the New Boston Police Department at 903-628-3771 or your local law enforcement agency.

The cases were assigned to 5th District Judge Bill Miller.