Man charged in South Natomas backyard killing appears in Sacramento court

The man accused of murder in connection with a Monday morning killing in a South Natomas backyard made a brief appearance before a magistrate Wednesday afternoon.

Hadrian Lavell Walker, 25, appeared before Sacramento Superior Court Commissioner Benjamin Cassady at Sacramento County Main Jail, where Walker has been held without bail since his arrest Monday evening.

Walker entered the courtroom in an orange jumpsuit, flanked by three deputies and remained behind bars as Cassady read the felony charge of murder aloud. Walker consulted quietly with a public defender, who then requested that the arraignment and discussion of bail be postponed.

Cassady set Walker’s next court appearance for July 16 and another one, concerning separate misdemeanor charges, for July 28.

The homicide occurred early Monday on the 3100 block of Wiese Way. Officers responding around 8 a.m. found the victim dead in the backyard, apparently struck by a “hard object,” said Officer Allison Smith, a Sacramento police spokesperson.

The Sacramento County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Bryon Henry Walton Jones, 30.

Jail records show Walker also has a pending case on suspicion of elder abuse and assault by means of force likely to cause great bodily injury.