PHILIPSBURG (AP):

A judge in St Maarten has ordered a Jamaican security guard detained as a suspect in the slaying of a South Carolina couple who were stabbed to death in their Caribbean vacation home.

Meyshane Johnson was making his first court appearance since his arrest on suspicion of killing Michael and Thelma King of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. His white T-shirt was pulled over his head as he was led into the courthouse yesterday.

The hearing was closed to the press and public, but Solicitor General Taco Stein said later that the magistrate ruled there was enough evidence to detain Johnson for at least 10 more days pending further investigation. Prosecutors must return to court after that if they want to keep holding Johnson.

His lawyer says he denies killing the couple.