The Mississippi man accused of murdering his pregnant girlfriend, days before she would have given birth, is the son of a court judge, police said Wednesday.

Terrance Sample, 33, is charged with murdering Makayla Winston who was found in a ditch near the small town of Lexington, Mississippi, on July 1. Family members say Winston’s due date was today, July 4.

Sample’s mother, Rosie Sample, is a justice court judge in Attala County. Because of judge Sample is well known in the region a specially appointed judge was needed for his initial hearing.

Terrance Sample is charged with murder for killing Winston and with capital murder in the death of Winston’s unborn child.

Holmes County Sheriff Willie March told The Clarion Ledger that Winston and Terrance Sample were seen together on the night the pregnant woman went missing.

Terrance Sample denies dating Winston, the sheriff told The Clarion Ledger. He claims he was dating another woman.

He was denied bond at his preliminary hearing on Wednesday.