Three motions have been approved in the case of Emmett Leroy Davis, the Arab-native accused of murdering an 87-year-old Cullman woman.

Davis was initially charged with assaulting Helen June Mayo, but, after she died from complications related to the injuries she sustained, he is now facing murder charges.

Davis has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mayo by reason of mental disease or defect.

According to Cullman County Police Department investigators, Mayo and other residents were possibly familiar with Davis as a home and garden worker in their neighborhood on 4th Avenue NE near Cullman High School.

Circuit Judge Martha Williams approved a motion to allow the defendant’s attorney to access the crime scene.

In the motion filed by the defense, Davis’ current attorney requested access to the crime scene “for the purposes of orientation, observation, consideration and development of any theories that might exist.”

The approved motion also notes that Davis will not accompany his attorney or other members of his defense to the scene.

An additional motion approved by the circuit judge included a motion to retain a telecommunications expert for the defense at no greater cost than $5,000.

This expert will be used to aid the defense in understanding cell phone tracking used by the prosecution.

The final motion approved allows for the defendant to retain the services of a pathologist to aid in the defense of the case.