Butler County Common Pleas Judge Keith Spaeth set Jan. 26 as a trial date for Rutherford, who is being held in the county jail in lieu of a $2 million bond.
According to prosecutors, Rutherford told Hamilton police officers he intended to kill Watkins by blowing his head off.
The indictment that was handed down last month by a Butler County grand jury also charges Rutherford with two gun specifications, having weapons under disability, and for being a repeat violent offender. Rutherford has previous felony convictions, including for robbery.
Lacey Rutherford was shot multiple times, once in the throat with a shot gun, and Watkins, 41, of Wilmington, was shot once in the head with a shot gun, according to court records.
Hamilton police were called to the 2700 block of Hilda Avenue at about 2:30 a.m. June 18 after receiving a 911 call from Robin Rutherford, wife of Alfred and mother of Lacey.
Robin Rutherford told dispatchers, “My husband killed my daughter.”
Lacey Rutherford was found in the hallway. Watkins was found in a bathroom after police searched the home. Several children were in the house when the shooting happened, including Lacey Rutherford’s 6-year-old son, who could be heard crying in the 911 call.
Rutherford, who fled after the shooting in a red Escort, was arrested at about 11 a.m. in Joyce Park off River Road. He was taken into custody without incident while walking along Joe Nuxhall Boulevard and he was not armed, police said.
Alfred Rutherford, known as “Ike” to friends, had 17 cases in Hamilton Municipal Court dating back to 1989. Some of those charges include OVI, obstructing official business, drug abuse and robbery.
Lacey Rutherford had five cases in Hamilton Municipal Court dating back to 2012. Charges included theft, driving under suspension, drug abuse and possession of drug abuse instruments.
The day before her slaying, Lacey Rutherford appeared in municipal court on a charge of drug paraphernalia. The case was continued.
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