No bond for man accused in wife's beating death

TAMPA - The man accused of beating his wife to death with a baseball bat early Sunday was in court this morning.

Police say Lawrence Dickey, 44,  beat his wife to death in their home in Plant City, then turned himself in a short time later.

Lawrence's wife, Beatrice, was a high-ranking civilian employee at the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

The Kathleen High School grad had served as the executive director of business affairs since 2005.

"She was not just our colleague, she was our dear friend," offered Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.

Lawrence made his first appearance in court to face first-degree murder charges this morning, where Judge Walter Heinrich ordered him held without bond, despite the objection of his defense attorney.

"You will be staying in jail. You've admitted your guilt," Heinrich told Dickey, who appeared from jail via a video link. "You are excused, sir."