MURFREESBORO, TN (WSMV) -
A Smyrna woman and her son accused of the shooting death of her boyfriend and then dumping his body didn't appear in court today.
The family of murder victim Steven Carlton is now questioning who has more rights, the suspects or the victim.
Christina Rosa Magaddino, 36, and her 20-year-old son Ryan Roe were indicted for the murder of Carlton. Court motions were filed so the pair did not have to appear in court today.
The family of Carlton came to court today to see the accused killers. Instead, their attorneys appeared on their behalf and entered pleas of not guilty.
"It's been very hard for us to deal with this tragedy. It's been really devastating. The pain hasn't eased," said Judy Hill, Carlton's aunt. "I was hoping to see them here today."
It's been three months since Carlton's death. Family members said it hurts as much today as it did when it happened.
"It's hard to know he's not here anymore," said Hill.
Police documents revealed Roe allegedly shot Carlton in the head with a revolver on July 14, wrapped his body in a blanket and he and his mother put the body in the trunk of a car. The body was then dumped at a boat ramp.
"Nobody deserves this, to be shot, and taken and dumped in the woods like a bag of trash," said Hill, who said Carlton was like a son to her instead of a nephew.
"I tried to look out for him, but it seems like I failed him somehow," said Hill while tearing up.
That's why she has one question for his accused killers if she could look at them eye-to-eye.
"I would ask them 'Why? Why would you do this to the person we loved? There was nothing that he did for you to take him away from us,'" said Hill.
Roe is charged with first-degree murder. Both he and his mother are facing charges of abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence and conspiracy to tamper and fabricate evidence.
Both are scheduled to appear in court for a discussion hearing on Nov. 9.
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