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Fillmore » Shortly after a man accused of killing a sheriff's deputy made his first court appearance, the man's family said they believe he is not guilty of the crime.

About a dozen people who appeared to be supporters of Roberto Miramontes Roman attended the 4th District Court hearing Thursday.

Four Millard County sheriff's deputies and jail guards accompanied a shackled Roman into the courtroom from a side door.

Roman, looking thinner than in previous photos and mug shots, showed little emotion as he answered standard questions from Judge Donald Eyre. Roman said his income had been $1,080 a month but he is no longer receiving that. Eyre found Roman qualified for a public defender and scheduled a Jan. 20 hearing to discuss the appointment of an attorney.

Roman is accused of shooting and killing Millard County sheriff's Deputy Josie Fox early Tuesday near Delta. Roman and another man, Ruben Chavez Reyes, were arrested Wednesday near Beaver after a statewide manhunt. Roman is charged with capital murder, and prosecutors have said they will seek the death penalty if he is convicted.

Thursday's hearing lasted about 10 minutes. Moments later, outside the courtroom, Roman's cousin, Juan Miramontes, offered condolences to Fox's family but said he was standing by Roman.

"He say's he's not guilty," Miramontes said. "So we're going to proceed from there."

Roman's brother, Mike Roman, said the defendant had been working on a dairy and considered Fillmore and Delta his home.

When asked about the Fox family, Mike Roman replied: "We feel so sorry about this."

Court records show Roman was deported after drug convictions in Millard County in the late 1990s. He was caught in Arizona in 2005 and deported a second time.

"He wouldn't do it," Mike Roman said. "He just wouldn't do it. Something is going on."

Mike Roman and Miramontes did not answer questions about what happened Tuesday morning.

Chavez Reyes remains in the Millard County jail on suspicion of aiding Roman after the shooting. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has placed a hold on him to preventing him from bailing out. No charges have been filed.

Meanwhile, Roman is being held without bail.

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