Accused Bradenton triple-murderer Andres Avalos in court Thursday

BRADENTON -- Accused triple-murderer Andres "Andy" Avalos Jr. was in court Thursday morning as attorneys discussed his case with the presiding judge.

Avalos is charged with three counts of first-degree murder in the Dec. 4 slayings of his wife, Amber Avalos; neighbor, Denise Potter, 46; and the Rev. James "Tripp" Battle, 31.

His next court appearance will be April 9 for a case management hearing.

After discussing the case in private with Circuit Judge Deno Economou, Assistant State Attorney Art Brown and assistant public defender Anne Hunter agreed to the date. Avalos did not address the court.

Battle's family was in court but did not make any statements.

Investigators said Avalos hanged his wife from a cord in the laundry room of their northwest Bradenton home, beat her and then shot her. He also gunned down Pot

ter, who had been visiting his home, investigators said.

After the women were slain, investigators say Avalos dropped his 4-year-old son off at daycare and went to the Walmart Supercenter on State Road 64 where he left his vehicle.

He then took a taxi to Bayshore Baptist Church, 6502 14th St. W., where investigators and witnesses said he shot and killed Battle.

Avalos was arrested Dec. 6 after a 51-hour manhunt led by the Manatee County Sheriff's Office and a public plea from his father to turn himself in for the sake of his six children, who were held in a safe house until his capture.

He was arrested in a mobile home park less than two blocks from Bayshore Baptist Church within hours of his father's plea.

After his arrest, Avalos admitted to the slayings, Assistant State Attorney Art Brown said in court Dec. 7.

Initially charged with three counts of second-degree murder, Avalos was indicted on three counts of first-degree murder Dec. 16 by a grand jury.

Avalos is being held without bond at the Manatee County jail.

Jessica De Leon, Herald law enforcement reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7049. You can follow her on Twitter @JDeLeon1012.

This story was originally published February 6, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Accused Bradenton triple-murderer Andres Avalos in court Thursday ."