TAMPA, Fla. — The man accused of killing a man after robbing a Valrico bank appeared in court before a Hillsborough County judge Wednesday. 

  • James Hanson Jr. facing multiple charges after bank robbery and carjacking
  • Hanson faced judge through closed circuit TV
  • Mathew Korattiyil, 68, missing for several hours before body was found
  • More Hillsborough County stories

James Hanson Jr. was booked into the Hillsborough County Jail around 11 p.m. Tuesday night. He appeared in court Wednesday through closed circuit TV from jail and ordered held under no bond.

Hanson was taken into custody after a robbery at the CenterState Bank in Valrico, followed by the carjacking and murder of 68-year-old Mathew Korattiyil. 

James Hanson Jr. (Hillsborough County Jail)

After a short pursuit, Hanson was arrested and charged with six felonies: Pre-Meditated First Degree Murder, carjacking, Grand Theft Motor Vehicle, Kidnapping, Resisting an Officer with Violence and robbery.  

Hanson, 39, Hanson, according to the Sheriff's Office, has a lengthy criminal history with charges in multiple states. Past charges against him in Florida include burglary with assault and battery, burglary of dwelling with assault, grand theft, trespassing after warning, and robbery with a firearm. 

After serving 16 years in prison of a life sentence he got a new hearing and a new deal with the state: 15 years mandatory and 10 years of probation. He appealed that as well and was released from prison in July. 

Hanson will have pre-trial detention hearing. It's just a formality in a case like this where the suspect is expected to remain behind bars until a full trial.

Friends mourn Korattiyil

The agency is waiting for the county medical examiner to make a determination as to the cause of Korattiyil's death. 

Korattiyil, 68, had been missing since a man carjacked him at gunpoint after a bank robbery at the CentreState Bank Tuesday morning.

About 40 minutes after the robbery and a short pursuit, the suspect in the robbery and carjacking, James Hanson, 39 crashed Korattiyil's stolen vehicle near the intersection of S. St. Cloud Avenue and State Road 60. He was then taken into custody.

Victim loved by his community

Friends of Mathew Korattiyil we spoke to Tuesday evening as they stood outside the church where his body was found said they were all still in shock. They said they spent time at the community center socializing, never dreaming their friend's body would one day be discovered in the woods behind the building.

"This person was a very nice person," said friend Joemi Joseph. "Very gentle. He helps anyone who needs anything from him."

Valrico residents were also stopping by the convenience store Korattiyil owned for years, bringing flowers and sharing stories about the man they called "friendly", "kind", and "loved."

"He was just nice and he was so funny," said customer Christina Dimauro. "He was always talking to you when you came in the store. It wasn't just a pass-by, it wasn't like you were just another customer. He knew everybody, he knew the regulars, mostly what you wanted. He'd even tell you what you wanted when you walked in the door."

Residents say he sold the store recently and was focusing on other things. Friends say he was part of a tight-knit family, a family that's now struggling with loss.

"It shouldn't have happened, but it happened," said friend Stephen Puelikel.

Mathew Korattityil (Courtesy of Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office)