JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The man arrested Thursday charged in the death of a Jacksonville woman had his first appearance before a Duval County judge Friday morning. Nathaniel Slade, 41, was ordered to remain behind bars in the death of Ladonna Williams whose partially covered body was found April 20 in the backyard of a vacant home in the 2900 block of W. 9th Street in Allendale.
Judge Kimberly Sadler told Slade he should not contact any witnesses from jail prompting Slade to ask for clarity.
"When you say no witness, whatchu' mean? My family or somethin'?" Slade said.
Sadler responded, "Just nobody that's an alleged witness in the case."
An attorney then chimed in making it extra clear what the judge meant. "Mr. Slade, just stay off the phone."
That response caused many in the court to laugh.
Judge Sadler wasn't amused. "It's not funny. He's charged with a serious offense," she said.
Slade's next court appearance is June 2.
RELATED: Loved ones identify body found in Northwest Jacksonville backyard as mother LaDonna Williams