Thomas Lawton Evans wore jeans and a t-shirt with the American flag on it as he arrived in Charleston Monday for a federal court hearing. It was the first time the public at large has gotten a glimpse of Evans since authorities say he kidnapped 4-year-old Heidi Todd on Feb. 13 from her Johns Island home.
The FBI say Evans also brutally beat Heidi’s mother in the attack, causing extensive injuries.
In court on Monday, Evans was briefed on the federal complaint he's facing -- kidnapping. A public defender was assigned to Evans for his court appearances, and as far as the criminal complaint, the charge will go to a grand jury for an indictment.
Evans went on to waive his right to preliminary and detention hearings, meaning he'll be staying behind bars at the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center for the foreseeable future.
Charleston county prosecutor Scarlett Wilson, solicitor for the 9th Judicial Circuit, says she expects there to be a dual prosecution for Evans. State and federal prosecutors are working together on charges Wilson said.
She says she anticipates Evans will be back in court later this week to face state charges.
“In the next day or two, I anticipate there being some appearances in state court because there is conduct that is covered by state law that is not covered by federal law,” Wilson said.
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Sources with the investigation also say that friends and members of the Todd family were at Evans' initial appearance in Charleston Monday.
Wilson says the Todd family is receiving a lot of support from religious, medical and law enforcement communities.
“I believe that the healing process has begun in earnest, and I think they are showing what we want to see is resilience and resolve and good health. I think that they have all the support that they need,” Wilson says.
Solicitor Wilson went on to tell us the Todds are keenly aware of everything going on in state and federal court regarding Evans.