TEXAS COUNTY, Okla. (KFDA) – All five suspects charged in the murder of Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley appeared in court today to discuss consolidating the cases and setting a tentative trial date.
Paul Grice, 31, Tad Cullum, 43, Tifany Adams, 54, Cole Twombly, 50, and Cora Twombly, 44, are each charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of kidnapping, and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder.
Defense attorneys have until September 9 to present their closing arguments on whether or not all defendants should be tried together.
The next preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 18. On that day, the judge will decide whether the suspects will be tried together or separately.
If they are tried separately, Cole Twombly’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 17 at 9 a.m.
The judge authorized the release of some personal items belonging to Veronica and Jilian to their families.
The defendants’ lawyers also argued that their experts should be present at the evidence hearing, along with the state’s experts. No decision was made on this today.
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