Bond set at $1 million for Furmanski murder suspect

CEDAR RAPIDS - A $1 million bond has been set for a man accused in the death of a Cedar Rapids woman.

Onyale V. Hughes, 43, made his initial court appearance Saturday morning in Linn County. He faces charges of first-degree murder, first-degree arson and first-degree robbery.

Hughes is accused in the death of 62-year-old Robyn Furmanski, who was pulled by firefighters from her burning condominium in Cedar Rapids on March 31. The State Medical Examiner's Office stated the cause of death was blunt force head injuries, smoke inhalation and thermal injuries. Authorities announced April 8 Furmanski's death was being investigated as a homicide. Police believe Furmanski was gravely wounded before the fire.

Hughes, an inmate at the Tama County Jail who was living in Cedar Rapids at the time of the fire, was extradited to Linn County for the court appearance.

The preliminary trial date has been set for July 5 at 8:30 a.m.

First degree murder is a Class A felony punishable by life in prison.