RENO " The man accused of killing a University of Nevada, Reno professor made his initial appearance today in court, where he told a judge he has not spoken to a lawyer.
Mohamed Kamaludeen is charged with murder for the August stabbing of Judy Calder, a 64-year-old professor in the university's Department of Human Development and Family Studies.
Kamaludeen, 50, told Justice of the Peace Patricia Lynch by closed-circuit video that he doesn't know if he'll be able hire his own lawyer, adding that he hasn't spoken with any attorney since his return to the country Thursday.
Lynch ordered him to meet with court services personnel to determine if he qualifies for a public defender.
"I think that's the only way I can talk to somebody on the outside," Kamaludeen said.
Lynch set a preliminary hearing for Feb. 11., though the date is subject to change.
Kamaludeen, also know as Rickey Barge, was a business associate of Calder and her husband, James. Authorities allege Kamaludeen killed Calder because of $150,000 debt he owed.
Authorities believe she was killed Aug. 18 at Imaging Technologies, a Reno business. Her body was found two weeks later in rural Elko County, about 375 miles northeast of Reno.
Kamaludeen fled from Arizona to Mexico shortly before his arrest there in September.
He was extradited last week from Mexico City to Reno, where he remains held without bail at the Washoe County Jail.
Reno police have said Kamaludeen implicated himself in Calder's murder when he met with detectives following his return to the United States.
"He seemed to be very cooperative and relaxed," Reno police Lt. Robert McDonald said. "I think he was pleased to be back in the United States."
Detectives have said they continue to investigate the case, and have not ruled out further arrests.
Kamaludeen also was being sought on a first-degree murder charge in a 15-year-old Canadian case.
He's accused of orchestrating the September 1993 robbery-related stabbing death of a 61-year-old Toronto man by a teenager.
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