Michael West was charged with murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in southwest Houston and did not appear in court

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A man accused of killing his neighbor and trying to kill her friend who tried to save her was not present at his first official appearance Monday morning.

The judge said Michael West could not appear in custody because of “disruptive” behavior. However, his lawyer continued to appear on his behalf.

West is accused of fatally stabbing his neighbor Lorencia Lewis in her apartment in southwest Houston on Saturday. As she lay dying, the judge said he then reportedly tried to kill one of her friends who had come to the apartment to check on her. The judge said West “allegedly pulled the trigger on a gun pointed at her head three times, but the gun malfunctioned, allowing her to escape and call police.”

For West, bond was set at $200,000 for murder and $35,000 for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

SEE PREVIOUS STORY: Man arrested for allegedly fatally stabbing a neighbor and holding her friends at gunpoint, police say

The crimes led to a large-scale search for West at The Life at Jackson Square apartment complex on Braeswood Boulevard. However, West reportedly called authorities and demanded to turn himself in for questioning.

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