One of the five suspects in the murders of two southwest Kansas women has waived his right to a preliminary hearing and a speedy trial in Oklahoma. 31-year-old Paul Grice was scheduled for an appearance in Texas County, Oklahoma in February. The other four suspects will have a preliminary hearing in December.
The five suspects are charged in the murders of 27-year-old Veronica Butler and 39-year-old Jilian Kelley, both of Hugoton. They disappeared in April while on their way to pick up Butler’s children, and their bodies were found later in a remote area of the Oklahoma panhandle. Court documents said the two had been stabbed to death.
Murder charges were filed against Grice, along with 50-year-old Tifany Adams, 43-year-old Tad Cullum, 50-year-old Cole Twombly and 44-year-old Cora Twombly. Investigators said Adams and Butler were involved in a dispute over custody of Butler’s children.
The Texas County district attorney’s office wants to prosecute all five at the same time, but attorneys have asked for separate hearings. For now, Grice will have a separate hearing on February 19th, but the other suspects will be in court December 17th.
[ photo: Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley ]
