Anthony Bennett formally charged in court - ABC 12 – WJRT – Flint, MI

(11/13/12) - The man charged with murdering a 4-year-old Isabella county boy faced a judge in federal court Tuesday afternoon.

This past June, Carnel Chamberlain's badly burned body was found under his mother's porch on the Chippewa Reservation in Mt. Pleasant - one week after he was reported missing.

His mother's boyfriend, Anthony Bennett, was watching him when his disappeared.

Last week, Bennett was charged with Chamberlain's murder. Tuesday, he was back in a Bay City Courtroom.

The case is being handled in federal court because it happened on the Chippewa Indian Reservation.

Tuesday's arraignment was very short, probably about 5 minutes long. Our cameras were not allowed inside, but we were able to get video of Bennett being escorted into the court in handcuffs.

He faces seven charges, six of which are felonies. One that carries a penalty of life in prison.

A federal judge read Bennett the charges in court Tuesday. They include first degree murder, two counts of assault against a child, an assault with a dangerous weapon, an animal cruelty charge and two counts of witness tampering.

The majority of the incidents happened back in June on the Indian Reservation.

Bennett stood silent as the charges were read to him. He showed no emotion. He did tell the judge that he acknowledged what he was up against.

Bennett's attorney entered a not guilty plea on all seven of the counts against him.

There was no family or friends present in the courtroom to witness Bennett's arraignment.

Both the defense attorney and the prosecutor denied our request for an interview.

Bennett will remain in police custody. A future court date has not been set.