All articles tagged with #preliminary hearing
Nick Reiner, 32, pleaded not guilty in Los Angeles to two counts of first-degree murder in the stabbing deaths of his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner. He waived a speedy preliminary hearing; a preliminary hearing is set for April 29 with no bail granted. Prosecutors have not yet decided whether to seek the death penalty; Reiner has been in custody since December and recently changed counsel.
The husband of a pregnant Amish woman testified that his young children told him about the killing when he returned home, leading to the arrest of Shawn C. Cranston, who is facing multiple charges including two counts of homicide in the killing of Rebekah Byler and her unborn child. The district judge ruled there was enough evidence to send the case to trial, despite the defense's argument that prosecutors did not identify a motive or produce a murder weapon. Witnesses described seeing a red Jeep in the area that morning, and members of the Amish community filled the courtroom during the preliminary hearing.
Truck driver Shawn C. Cranston, 52, is accused of killing pregnant Amish woman Rebekah Byler and her unborn child in her rural Pennsylvania home. He is due for a preliminary hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to advance the charges toward trial, including accusations of burglary and trespassing. Byler, 23, was found with head and neck wounds, and authorities have not indicated a possible motive. Cranston has been in jail without bond since his arrest on March 2.
Nicholas Jordan, a University of Colorado student, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and other charges after allegedly shooting and killing his roommate and another person. The arrest affidavit revealed a history of disputes between Jordan and his roommates, including threats over cleaning and smoking inside the room. The preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 27, and Jordan's lawyer attempted to delay it due to a cyberattack affecting access to evidence. However, the request was denied, and Jordan's bail remains at $5 million cash-only.
Michael Jackson-Bolanos, accused of murdering Detroit community leader Samantha Woll, has been bound over for trial with an added charge of first-degree premeditated murder. The prosecution presented video and cell phone evidence linking Jackson-Bolanos to the crime scene, while the defense attempted to cast doubt on the timeline. Woll, a well-known figure in the Detroit community, was found stabbed to death outside her home in October 2023. If convicted, Jackson-Bolanos faces the possibility of life in prison.
Six members of a group of Michigan Republicans facing felony charges for submitting false electoral votes for former President Donald Trump in the 2020 election appeared in court for a preliminary hearing. The Michigan Attorney General's Office alleges that the group knowingly submitted false electoral votes, falsely claiming to be the state's rightful electors. Witnesses from law enforcement and the election certification process testified, including the Michigan Director of Elections who received an email about a separate set of electors being sent to the National Archives. Defense attorneys argued that their clients participated in a political protest, while the prosecution called them "brainwashed." The preliminary hearings will continue with more witnesses expected to testify.
A judge in Los Angeles has ruled that rapper A$AP Rocky must stand trial on felony charges of firing a gun at a former friend and collaborator outside a Hollywood hotel in 2021. The ruling came after a preliminary hearing where the judge found sufficient evidence for the case to proceed. A$AP Rocky has pleaded not guilty to the charges. His attorney attempted to cast doubt on the case, questioning the police detective. The rapper, who is also a fashion mogul and in a relationship with pop star Rihanna, showed no visible reaction in court.
The suspect in the Boulder King Soopers shooting, Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity after a detective testified that he targeted and pursued each of the 10 victims he killed during the attack. The preliminary hearing concluded with enough evidence for the case to proceed, and Alissa now faces charges including first-degree murder and attempted murder. The judge dismissed four counts related to illegally large ammunition magazines but set Alissa's bail at $100 million. The detective described how Alissa hunted down and killed his victims, with some survivors and families of the victims present in court. The case will now evaluate Alissa's mental state at the time of the crime, and a jury trial is tentatively scheduled for mid-August.
A judge in Clay County has ruled that there is enough evidence for Andrew Lester, an 84-year-old man, to stand trial for the shooting of Ralph Yarl, a teenager. Lester is charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action. During the preliminary hearing, six witnesses testified, including neighbors who heard gunshots and called 911. Attorneys presented the 911 call made by Lester, where he admitted to shooting Yarl, claiming he thought Yarl was trying to break into his home. The hearing also revealed an inconsistency in Yarl's statement regarding whether he rang the doorbell or touched Lester's door. The case had been partially sealed due to harassment and threats faced by Lester.
Nima Momeni, the accused killer of Cash App founder Bob Lee, appeared in court for a preliminary hearing with a new attorney. The defense questioned witnesses about a homeless man found at the crime scene and highlighted the failure of officers to question him. A crime scene investigator testified about blood stains and evidence found at the scene, including a knife, vape pen, and narcotics baggie. A witness provided chilling details of Lee's last moments, and the defense suggested the presence of other potential suspects. The hearing is ongoing.
Rashad Trice, the man accused of kidnapping and killing 2-year-old Wynter Cole-Smith, appeared in federal court for a preliminary hearing where probable cause was found to hold him. Trice waived his right to a bond hearing and federal charges, including Kidnapping Resulting in Death, were filed against him. Investigators used cellphone data and license plate readers to connect Trice to the crime, and text messages he sent to family members indicated his involvement. If convicted, Trice faces a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison or the death penalty.
Nima Momeni, a tech entrepreneur accused of murdering CashApp founder Bob Lee, was denied bail ahead of a preliminary hearing later this year. Prosecutors claim that Momeni fought with Lee over his relationship with his married sister, which allegedly resulted in Lee being stabbed on April 4 in San Francisco. Momeni's new legal team plans to create a new defense independent of anything done by his previous lawyer. Momeni is being held without bail and prosecutors will detail their case against him at his preliminary hearing on July 31.
Supporters of Ralph Yarl, a 16-year-old who was shot by 84-year-old Andrew Lester in April, packed a Clay County courtroom wearing blue "Justice for Ralph" t-shirts for a hearing on Thursday. The Yarl family and their attorneys are growing frustrated by the way the case is being handled and believe the prosecutor is not handling the case properly. The preliminary hearing is scheduled to begin Aug. 31, a week after Ralph is scheduled to start his senior year at Staley High School. Andrew Lester has pleaded not guilty to armed criminal action and first-degree assault in the case.
A grand jury has indicted Bryan Kohberger, who was already charged with the stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students, allowing prosecutors to skip a planned preliminary hearing. Kohberger was charged with burglary and four counts of first-degree murder in connection with the November 2022 killings. The indictment reroutes the case directly to the state's felony court level. Court documents have already detailed much of the investigation that prosecutors say ties Kohberger to the slayings. The unsealed court documents do not appear to suggest a motive, nor whether the killer had specifically targeted any of the victims.
Jackson Mahomes, brother of NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes, has been allowed to have contact with three of the four witnesses in his sexual battery case by a Johnson County judge. Mahomes' attorney filed a request to allow his client to interact with the four people on the witness list who are also his friends. The judge ruled that Mahomes cannot have contact with the fourth witness, who has direct ties to the case against him. Mahomes will be in court again on Aug. 31, 2023, for a preliminary hearing in the case.