TUSCUMBIA, AL (WAFF) -
A 2008 murder case will now go before a Colbert County grand jury.
A judge bound the case over to the grand jury after hearing evidence in Derek Burt's case Tuesday morning. He's accused of killing Harry Ricks.
The entire courthouse was on heightened security for Burt's preliminary hearing.
Family and friends of both Burt and Ricks filled the courtroom as an investigator described what happened that night in November of 2008.
He testified that Burt and two other unnamed men burst into Ricks' home on Gate Six Road demanding money.
Ricks, his wife, and daughter were tied up.
Ricks freed himself and tried to run for help while the men ransacked another room, but the investigator said one of the gunmen saw what was happening and shot Ricks in the back.
The case went cold but this past July, officials were able to match DNA evidence from the scene with Burt and make an arrest.
Tuesday morning was the first time family and friends of Ricks' were able to get an up close look at one of the suspected killers.
"My heart just goes out to them. The only thing I can do and the community can do is just pray for them and pray they get justice served because it's hard and it's long and it's just been prolonged for so long," said Mary Hampton, family friend of the victim.
Authorities are still looking for the other two men involved in the murder.
It's unclear if Burt is cooperating with investigators.
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Derek Burt (Source: Colbert County Sheriff's Department)
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