New charges have been filed against three of the five suspects accused of killing two Kansas mothers who disappeared during a road trip to Oklahoma earlier this year. Some charges were also dropped.
Last Thursday, the district attorney in Texas County, Oklahoma, announced that Tiffany Adams and Tad Cullum were among the five suspects charged in the deaths of Veronica Butler, 27, and Jillian Kelly, 39. , filed an amended indictment against Cole Twombly. First reported by KSNW.
All five suspects were initially charged with two counts of intentional first-degree murder, kidnapping and two counts of conspiracy to commit first-degree intentional murder.
Currently, Adams, Cullum, and Twombly have not been charged with kidnapping. Instead, they are now facing two charges of unlawful removal of a corpse – another for allegedly moving both bodies from their original place of death. He is charged with two counts of unlawful desecration of human corpses for disposing of both bodies underground. Evidence was suppressed by authorities.
Court documents reveal cause of death in Kansas mother's murder
The suspect was charged with the murders of Veronica Butler and Jillian Kelly. (Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation – Certification Page/Facebook)
Adams is currently charged with two counts of child neglect. Adams is reportedly the grandmother of Butler's children. Court records revealed that Adams was involved in a custody battle over Butler's children. The children's father is in a rehabilitation facility.
Amended documents obtained by KSNW allege that Adams exposed the children, ages 6 and 8, to illegal activity by having them hold ratchet straps in the store a week before Kelly and Butler were killed. I am doing it. Prosecutors believe the straps were tied to a freezer in the cow pasture where the bodies were buried.
Murdered Kansas mother's body found buried in freezer, court documents reveal gory details
Paul Grice was arrested and booked into the Texas County Jail on two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of kidnapping, and one count of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in connection with the murders of Veronica Butler and Jillian Kelly. Ta. (Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation)
The remaining two suspects, Cora Twombly and Paul Grice, still face kidnapping charges. All five suspects remain charged with first-degree intentional homicide and conspiracy to commit first-degree intentional homicide.
In September, Grice waived his right to a preliminary hearing and speedy trial. His next court date is February 19, 2025, and the other four suspects are scheduled to appear for preliminary hearings on December 17.
The four belonged to a religiously affiliated rebel group called “God's Misfits,” Fox News Digital reported. previously reported. It is unclear whether Grice was involved with anti-government groups.
Kansas murdered mother suspect buys Taser and burner before woman goes missing, searches for 'pain level': document
Gillian Kelly (left) and Veronica Butler (right) attended Butler's birthday party in Hugoton, Kansas, Pastor Tim Singer of the Hugoton Conference of God told Fox News. They said they were on their way to pick up the children to bring them back. (Texas County Sheriff's Office/Oklahoma Highway Patrol/Shutterstock)
Investigators say their motive was to gain custody of Butler's two children.
Court documents say Butler's custody battle began in February 2019 “after numerous hearings and court appearances,” and in the weeks leading up to her death, “a motion was filed seeking extended visitation for Ms. Butler.” ”.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
In April, the Oklahoma State Office of the Chief Medical Examiner positively identified two of the Texas county deaths as Kelly and Butler.
Police said Butler and Kelley were last seen picking up their children on March 30, before their car was abandoned near the Oklahoma-Kansas border for a suspected violation. was discovered.
