AutoZone Shooting Suspect Appears In Court

The man accused of killing Joaquin Paniaqua, 39, at a Colorado Springs AutoZone appeared in court Tuesday with his attorney by his side during a video advisement.

Public defender Cindy Hyatt stepped in front of the camera and told the judge she was there on behalf of her client, Ernest Schmidt.

The judge interrupted Hyatt, and said, ?Wait, wait Ms. Hyatt. Time out. Why doesn?t he (Schmidt) step up here??

?Judge, I?m here in his stead,? said Hyatt. ?He doesn?t need to be.?

?I want him to step up there,? said the judge. ?I want to make sure that he?s present.?

Hyatt finally motioned to Schmidt to step in front of the camera, where the judge could see him.

Schmidt is being held without bond and charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, aggravated robbery and second-degree kidnapping.

Schmidt, also known as Edward Coffey, is accused of killing Paniaqua at the Autozone near Powers and Palmer Park last week. Police say he also shot another man who is recovering at a hospital.