The Monroe County Prosecutor's Office issued a second-degree murder warrant against Daniel Clay in connection with the death of Chelsea Bruck.

A Newport man charged with second-degree murder in the Chelsea Bruck case told a judge that he didn't want a bond, an indication that he prefers to stay in jail.

Daniel Allan Clay, 27, who lived in the Frenchtown Villa Mobile Home park, told First District Judge Terrence P. Bronson that he needs a court-appointed attorney, but not a bond.

"I don't want a bond.," said Mr. Clay, who was shackled at the waist and wearing striped jail clothes. "I won't even ask for one."

Chelsea’s parents, Matthew and Leannda Bruck, sat quietly holding hands during the brief court hearing. Another daughter, Megan, was with them. The family has not released a statement since Chelsea’s body was found in April, 2015.

Monroe attorney Jason Kaczmarek represented Mr. Clay in a previous larceny case and could be his attorney this time also. He said outside the courtroom that he was surprised when he heard Mr. Clay was arrested for the Bruck murder.

“I was surprised,” Mr. Kaczmarek said. “He was laid back.”

Chief assistant prosecutor Michael G. Roehrig said that the office decided against filing a first-degree murder charge.

"We have no evidence or reason to believe that the killing of Chelsea Bruck was premeditated," Mr. Roehrig said before the arraignment.

Those close to the case have said Mr. Clay went to a large Halloween Party to pick up a girl and ran into Chelsea. They made a brief connection before she left. As she was walking down Post Rd. Mr. Clay approached her in his car.

She then got inside. Although it was not determined if she was forced into the car or entered on her own, the prosecutor's office did not issue kidnapping charges. A shoe belonging to Chelsea was recovered at the scene during the initial investigation near the area where Mr. Clay approached her in his car.

By charging Mr. Clay with second-degree murder, prosecutors apparently believe that Mr. Clay did not plan to her. Sources close to the situation said he claims he killed her by accident. However, the Wayne County Medical Examiner's office ruled Chelsea died of blunt force trauma. She reportedly was strangled.

Her Poison Ivy Halloween costume was found in Flat Rock and evidence collected off it linked investigators to Mr. Clay. After tracking him down, sheriff's detectives watched the trailer until they burst inside and found him playing video games.

Chelsea's body was found in April, 2015, in a shallow grave off Briar Hill Rd. Mr. Clay was familiar with that area because he used to party in the vicinity, investigators said. He also lived about two miles away at the time.

Mr. Clay, a high school dropout, has a history of criminal activity that dates back at least 10 years and includes crimes including larceny, possession of marijuana, assault, breaking into motor vehicles and shoplifting. He also was wanted on a warrant for non-support. Last year Mr. Clay was sentenced in Monroe County to 180 days in jail for resisting arrest and possession of marijuana.

Mr. Clay grew up in the Newport area. According to police reports, he was raised by a grandmother after his parents split up.

His next hearing is set for Thursday, but court observers said they'd be surprised if it wasn't postponed due to the length and depth of the police investigation conducted by the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.

PHOTO GALLERY: The search for Chelsea Bruck.

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