JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (AP) - A man accused of having ordered the murder of a confidential informant five years ago from a Pennsylvania prison has been arraigned in absentia on a first-degree murder charge.

The (Johnstown) Tribune-Democrat reports that 43-year-old Shakir Mosi Smith was scheduled to appear Tuesday in Cambria County Court but officials said he refused to leave his Somerset County Jail cell to attend the video conference.

In October, officials said Smith also refused to leave his cell for arraignment on a murder solicitation charge.

Smith is charged in the death of 30-year-old Carol Ashcom, whose body was found in her Lower Yoder Township home in March 2015. Prosecutors allege that Smith said in letters from prison that he blamed her for his drug arrest, wanted her killed and asked that another man be shown where she lived.

Prosecutors have said they don't plan to seek the death penalty. Defense attorney Tim Burns said he intends to "vigorously" fight the charges against Smith.