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A status hearing for William Seth Denmark, 22, slated in Calhoun Circuit Court yesterday, has been continued to August 9.
Denmark appeared before Judge David Nibert, represented by his attorney Ernie Skaggs.
The Calhoun man is charged with kidnapping Veronica Cottrill and allegedly holding her at gunpoint while Denmark buried the body of David Wayne Beach, according to a criminal complaint filed by lead investigator Cpl. Doug Starcher of the WV State Police in Grantsville.
Denmark's mother, Jackie Lynn Denmark, 57, appeared in court a second time requesting bail, represented by attorney Lee Benford.
She is charged with aiding and abetting kidnapping, allegedly committed by her son Seth Denmark.
A criminal complaint filed against her by the State Police indicates she was present when the alleged murder of David Beach occurred.
Jackie Denmark takes the stand during Monday's hearing
A decision regarding the request for bail will likely be made during a court hearing in Spencer Tuesday at 10 a.m.
Attorney Benford called a number of character witnesses for Ms. Denmark, saying she has never been in trouble with the law, indicating she was not a flight risk and could be bonded and put on home confinement.
Benford call Cpl. Doug Starcher as a witness, questioning the strength of the case against Ms. Denmark. Benford said, "There are lots of theories...not much to this case backed up by evidence."
Benford continued to request photographs held in evidence by the State Police, reportedly taken by Ms. Denmark of her son Seth and David Beach hosing mud from their bodies, allegedly before Beach was killed and buried on the Denmark farm in 2006.
Special prosecutor Josh Downey objected to the request, saying that the photographs would be produced during the discovery period of the trial.
Judge Nibert agreed, indicating attorney Benford was engaging in discovery during a bond hearing.
"Probable cause was found in magistrate court to bind her (Ms. Denmark) over to a grand jury," Nibert said.
Benford continued to question the veracity of the case against Ms. Denmark, saying it is "thin."
Attorney Benford asked Cpl Starcher, "At some point you excavated what was called a grave-site?" Starcher said officials
did take such action, with a body not being discovered.
Cpl. Starcher confirmed an anthropologist from the Smithsonian Institute was on site assisting with the forensic investigation.
Prosecutor Downey continued to object to Benford's line of questioning, saying it should not be part of a bond hearing.
Jackie Denmark took the witness stand, revealing she has a degree in history from Glenville State College, an associates degree in business and had been certified as a CNA, having worked at Miletree Center in Spencer.
Denmark said she could be put on home confinement at the family residence in Calhoun, or at her daughter's house in Jackson County.
Prosecutor Downey said she should not be placed on home confinement with her husband William Denmark, who is also facing charges.
Dora Montgomery, a shift cook at Miletree, said Ms. Denmark is "a fine, responsible individual," supporting her release to home confinement.
Frances Bates, an RN supervisor at Miletree, said Ms. Denmark was "a caring and concerned person for her patients."
Barbara Cole, described as a woman with multiple health problems, had been in Ms. Denmark's care at her home in Roane County. Cole praised Ms. Denmark for her help, asking if she could be bonded and return as her caregiver.
Cole said "I have 35-40 prescriptions I have to take," indicating Ms. Denmark had kept her on schedule before she was arrested.
Bobette Harper said she and Ms. Denmark had been friends for 26 years, stating "She is the most solid person I've ever met."
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