09-13-2011, 01:34 PM
![[Image: 1539743-L.jpg]](http://www.dddnews.com/photos/15/39/74/1539743-L.jpg)
KENNETT, MO (KAIT) – The man accused of killing Senath 3-year-old Breeann Rodriguez, appeared in a Dunklin County Courtroom Tuesday morning.
According to the Dunklin County Prosecutor's Office, Shawn Morgan petitioned the court for a public defender to be assigned to his case, and the judge appointed one to him. Morgan and his lawyer are set to appear again in court on Tuesday October 4 at 9am.
Dunklin County Prosecuting Attorney Stephen Sokoloff has amended the charges Morgan faces twice, adding one count of child kidnapping, a class A felony, and possession of child pornography, a class C felony. These charged are to be added to three existing accounts of first-degree murder, armed criminal action and tampering with evidence.
Sokoloff also said he filed a notice of statutory aggravating circumstances, which will permit the State to seek a death sentence for the first-degree murder charge against Morgan. While this does not guarantee that the State will seek the death penalty, it is a procedural step to make the penalty an option.
"I have spoken with Breeann's parents about this issue, and they are in support of my taking this step," said Sokoloff.