A Carbondale man remains in Jackson County Jail where he awaits a pre-trial hearing this morning for the Oct. 8 asphyxiation death of Pamela Travis.

On Oct. 8, Travis, 29, of Carbondale, was found dead in her apartment at The Fields, 700 S. Lewis Lane. A fire was set after the murder, in which Travis’ body suffered burns and her 22-month-old twin daughters suffered smoke-related injuries.

Gary Lee Starks was arrested Nov. 20, though police said evidence found made him a suspect within the first 48 hours of the investigation.

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Police determined Starks and Travis knew each other, and there was evidence they both used crack cocaine.

Starks plead not guilty to the charges during his Dec. 3 preliminary hearing. Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Thomas H. Jones found probable cause to keep Starks at Jackson County Jail for trial where he has been since the hearing.