McClain stood before Judge Horace Johnson, her hands and feet restrained, while approximately a dozen family members and friends packed the courtroom.

According to McClain's attorney Charles Barrow, she was not present when the actual murder took place, nor was she present when the group dumped Clements' body in Snapping Shoals Creek and used his checks. She was, however, present the night before the murder took place when the group reportedly planned to tie Clements up and rob him.

Barrow argued that McClain - who is currently being housed in the juvenile detention facility until her 17th birthday in December - would wear an ankle bracelet and follow any stipulations of bond should it be granted. When questioned by the judge as to how she would obtain an education while on house arrest, Barrow said that he was unsure at this time but believed that McClain's family would be happy to look into homeschooling the teen if need be.

Newton County District Attorney Ken Wynne asked the judge to take into consideration the fact that McClain was arrested in Alabama, along with Maldonado, four days after the murder, saying that proved she was a flight risk.

According to Barrow, McClain was in Alabama only because Maldonado had threatened her life if she failed to flee with the group.

Wynne said that according to evidence the group's plan was to hit Clements in the head with a hammer, go to his home and if his wife and children were there, to kill them in order to carry out the robbery. He said that was proof that McClain posed a threat to the community.