By Robin Fitzgerald
The Sun Herald

A trial date has been set for a man accused of fatally shooting a couple, wounding their baby and stealing a vehicle.

Circuit Court Judge Roger Clark on Monday set April 16, 2018, as the date for Myrick Laneaux’s trial. Myrick, 27, of Bay St. Louis, had previously pleaded not guilty on two counts of murder and one count each of aggravated assault and taking a motor vehicle.

Hancock County deputies brought the shackled Laneaux to court for a brief status hearing on his case. He is being held on bonds in excess of $2.3 million.

An indictment alleges Laneaux shot to death Kristina Quintini and Norris Demetrius “Demet” Mueller and wounded their baby. They were found July 30, 2016, in Quintini’s home at Bay Pines apartments on Louis Piernas Drive.

Quintini was a cousin of Laneaux, according to a family member.

Both Mueller, 29, and Quintini, 28, attended Bay High School. Quintini later attended the University of Southern Mississippi, where she was a member of the Dixie Darlings dance team and a captain in 2010.

An autopsy showed Mueller died of a gunshot wound to the head, and Quintini died from several gunshot wounds.

Their child was six months old at the time. The girl has recovered from a gunshot wound to her shoulder.

Police at first arrested Laneaux on an attempted murder charge in the baby’s shooting. A grand jury indicted him on an aggravated assault charge.

Laneaux also is accused of stealing a truck owned by Demet Mueller’s mother.

An investigator who testified at Laneaux’s preliminary hearing said a woman had reported he came to her house and was frantic, and said he shot the couple, claiming it was an accident.

The woman also told police Laneaux had been driving a black pickup that belonged to Quintini’s mother, the detective said.

Friends of Quintini have said she had recently broken up with Mueller. She was working as a bartender and waitress at the Knock Knock Lounge in Waveland.

Laneaux’s friends have said he worked odd jobs and was trying to get his life together. He had two children, then ages 6 and 7, from a previous relationship.

Assistant District Attorney Chris Daniels is the prosecuting the case.