JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Roderick Fields, the man who was indicted last week and is accused of killing 46-year-old Marc Tilly in a home on Jacksonville's Eastside in August 2022, appeared in court Monday.
The state announced Monday morning that if a plea deal isn't reached with Fields, they will file a notice to seek the death penalty on June 22, Fields' next court date.
Tilly's father and brother were present in the courtroom at the time of the announcement.
According to the indictment filed against Fields, Tilly died by strangulation after he was found tied up with an extension cord and with a bag around his head and neck. An incident report obtained from police states evidence that Tilly was beaten with a hammer and later determined, Fields' blood was found on the hammer. Police also say Tilly's body was found with burns as well, with evidence pointing toward the fire likely being a result of arson.
Surveillance footage captured at an Exxon gas station, showed Fields driving Tilly's car a few days after his death. The arrest report also states that officers noticed "visible blood stains" on the driver's side of the car and found the keys to the house where Tilly's body was found at the time of Fields' arrest.