COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Branch County District Court preliminary exams were on the docket this morning for two of the four defendants accused by the Michigan Attorney General’s Office of being involved in a plot to kidnap, rape and kill a randomly selected child in a case that has shocked and outraged the community.
Prosecutors called a pair of Michigan State Police computer investigators to the stand during the preliminary exam for David Bailey of Coldwater as they tried to establish a text messaging link between Bailey and co-defendant Matthew Toole of Battle Creek.
Kyle Bowers from the State Police Computer Crime Unit testified that during his investigation, he found text messages which included the terms “go hunting tonight”, “pretty” and “toy”.
A State Police digital forensic analyst was also called to the stand. Defense Attorney Benjamin Jewell argued those messages could have been sent by anyone using the phones that were seized by authorities during their investigation.
Meanwhile, the preliminary exam for Talia Furman of Springfield was delayed after methamphetamine was found in her cell at the Calhoun County Jail. Judge Brent Weigle ordered a drug test and a follow up evaluation to determine if she was competent for the preliminary exam.
All four defendants are being held on $5 million bonds. They have been charged with conspiracy to commit the crimes of kidnapping, first-degree criminal sexual conduct and murder.
Toole is scheduled to appear for a Branch County Circuit Court pre-trial conference on Monday.
19-year-old Jayme LaPoint of Athens waived her preliminary exams on Tuesday in this case as well as another child sex and pornography case in which she is facing four counts. Her Circuit Court pre-trial conferences are scheduled for November 26th.
