Audrii Cunningham’s alleged killer Don Steven McDougal naked in court
The swastika-tattooed suspect in the brutal murder of 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham refused to wear clothes for his arraignment — eventually appearing in court with only a blanket around his waist, shocking new video shows.
Don Steven McDougal, 42, was completely naked in his cell last Wednesday when shocked Polk County sheriff’s deputies came to take him to his hearing, according to footage posted by ABC 13.
“Come on, [the justice of the peace] wants to talk to you. Where’s your clothes? Hold on!” a deputy says.
“I ain’t got no clothes,” replies McDougal — whose large swastika tattoo could be seen clearly on his left shoulder.
“Come on, man, don’t disrespect me like that. Well, wrap up in that. Wrap up in the blanket,” the deputy tells McDougal.
The suspect, who is charged with capital murder, later appears to be smirking when he stands before the justice of the peace — wearing nothing but the blanket around his waist.
He is then read his Miranda rights and asked if he wants a court-appointed attorney.
“I’ll get an attorney,” the alleged killer tells the official.
“You’re going to hire your own? All right, all I need you to do is sign right here for me. Your charge is capital murder. That’s no bond,” the justice tells him during the surreal exchange.
Audrii, of Livingston, Texas, was found tied to a rock at the bottom of a river Feb. 20, six days after she went missing.
She had last been seen with McDougal, a friend of the family who has a lengthy rap sheet including prison time for enticing a child.
He was living on the family property in a camper, according to charging documents.
He had frequently walked the girl to her bus stop before allegedly murdering her and dumping her body in the river in the horrifying crime.
McDougal, a reported neo-Nazi with ties to the Aryan Brotherhood, was first taken into custody on an unrelated assault charge — for an alleged stabbing — on Feb. 16 and was sitting in Polk County Jail when cops found the body.
Meanwhile, Audrii’s family has released a statement expressing their grief and gratitude for support from the community – but also saying the system failed them.
“Audrii Danielle Cunningham was lured under false pretenses, which led to a senseless act of violence occurring and ultimately to her death,” they said in a statement to Fox 26.
“Tragically, Audrii’s death occurred at the hands of a monster we thought was a friend, only 10 days after Audrii’s 11th birthday,” the loved ones said.
“Unfortunately, the system failed us due to a loophole in the sex offender registration system. Don Steven McDougal had a history of disrespect for young female children, but it did not show up when we checked the registry before allowing him to stay in an old camper in our back yard while he tried to start a new life,” they continued.
“Had we been aware of what we know now, this man would never have set foot on our property, much less been a part of our little girl’s life,” their statement says.
They described Audrii as “a charismatic, beautiful, talented, and kind young lady. She loved singing, dancing, reading, and painting, she was even learning the skills of a tattoo artist.
“Most of all, caring for and playing with animals was her passion; Audrii’s aspirations were to become a veterinarian or an animal trainer,” the grieving family added.
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