Providence murder suspect Joel Francisco makes court appearance in Texas

The man accused of carrying out an Oct. 2 slaying inside a Federal Hill lounge has made an appearance in a Texas federal court following his weekend capture, authorities said Monday night.

Under an order issued in U.S. District Court in San Antonio, Joel Francisco must be held in federal custody, says a tweet posted Monday by the office of U.S. Attorney Aaron L. Weisman.

Francisco was arrested by U.S. Marshals on Saturday in New Braunfels, Texas, on a federal arrest warrant, says the post.

The court did not set a date for Francisco’s return to Rhode Island, it says.

Francisco, an ex-convict and former gang leader, is accused of stabbing 46-year-old Troy Pine to death in Nara Lounge on Atwells Avenue.