Rashid Ali Bynum pleads not guilty to murder charges in Sayreville Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour's shooting death
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. -- The man charged with murdering a Sayreville councilwoman appeared in a New Jersey courtroom on Monday after being extradited from Virginia.
The detention hearing came after the suspect fought extradition.
Rashid Ali Bynum walked into the Middlesex County court with his head down as the councilwoman's family cried. The 29-year-old is charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of Eunice Dwumfour in February.
Bynum's attorney entered a plea of not guilty and tried to get him out on bail, but the judge would not budge.
"Frankly, in my view, the state's proof in this case are strong and compelling," Judge Joseph Paone said.
READ MORE: Rashid Ali Bynum indicted in murder of Sayreville Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour
The prosecution said phone and car tag records place Bynum, a Virginia resident, near the murder scene.
Prosecutors also revealed Bynum shot the councilwoman 14 times as she sat in her SUV outside her apartment in the Parlin section of Sayreville, adding a weapon recovered in a fanny pack inside the accused's Virginia residence was traced to the killing.
"The results of the examination concluded that the 14 cartridge casings from the murder location were identified as being discharged from the same Glock 19 pistol located in the fanny pack from the same Smithfield address," Middlesex County First Assistant Prosecutor Amber Gibbs said.
The defense called the state's evidence weak, saying witnesses have not put Bynum at the crime scene.
"There is no indication whatsoever that shows Mr. Bynum had any reason whatsoever at any time to shoot the victim," attorney Thomas Ashley said.
Prosecutors haven't revealed a motive, but said Bynum's contact information was in Dwumfour's phone, and that the two knew each other from her church, where she was a pastor.
CBS New York first reported Bynum and Dwumfour lived together nearly six years ago at her church's residential facility, where she ministered people facing struggles.
READ MORE: Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour remembered at memorial service in Sayreville
All of the information was overwhelming for Dwumfour's mother, who threw a bottle at Bynum and then was arrested on a disorderly conduct charge.
"The entire family is very emotional. This is the first time they have been in close proximity to the individual that's accused of taking their daughter's life," family attorney John Wisniewski said.
Bynum's next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 30. Attorneys said it is a scheduling hearing before the trial.
The judge said Bynum has seven days to appeal the detention decision.
Meanwhile, the councilwoman's mother will have to appear in municipal court for the disorderly conduct charge.
