The Latest: Man charged in Denver transit guard killing

DENVER – The Latest on the killing of a Denver transit guard (all times local):

12:20 p.m.

A 37-year-old man accused of killing a Denver transit guard has been charged with first-degree murder.

Joshua Cummings was advised of the charge filed against him in the death of Scott Von Lanken during a brief court appearance on Friday.

He wore a red jail jumpsuit and had his arms and legs shackled as he faced Judge Martin Egelhoff.

He answered “Yes sir” when the judge asked him if he understood his rights. He hasn’t been asked to enter a plea yet.

Before he was led away he asked his lawyer for help getting a Qur’an, saying jail officials had been “dragging their feet.”

Denver District Attorney Beth McCann declined to say whether investigators had uncovered a motive for the shooting.

She says the case is still being investigated.

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10 a.m.

A 37-year-old man accused of killing a Denver transit guard appeared briefly in court Friday under heavy security.

Joshua Cummings wore a red jail jumpsuit and had his arms and legs shackled as he faced Judge Martin Egelhoff.

He answered “Yes sir” when the judge asked him if he understood his rights. He struggled a bit to sign a document on an electronic tablet because of the restraints.

Before he was led out of the courtroom he asked his lawyer for help getting a Qur’an, saying jail officials had been “dragging their feet.”

When asked after the hearing for a motive, Denver District Attorney Beth McCann said the shooting is still being investigated.

Scott Von Lanken, of Loveland, was shot Tuesday night near Union Station.