KALAMAZOO (WKZO AM/FM) — The homicide numbers have been up in Kalamazoo County and murder cases are beginning to become a regular thing in Circuit Court.
Kalamazoo County Prosecutor Jeff Getting says he is happy to see the Charles Pickett Jr. trial is back on the docket after this week’s decision by the State Court of Appeals. The appellate court rejected motions to suppress statements and dismiss second degree murder charges filed against Charles Picket Jr., the driver in the biking tragedy last year.
Prosecutor Getting says his trial has already been delayed several times.
Pickett faces a total of 14 felony charges for allegedly getting high and striking and killing five members of the Chain Gang Bicycle Club and injuring four others in June of last year.
That trial is set for September 19th.
But there will be a delay in another high profile murder trial. Jordan Waire was scheduled for trial later this month but that has been delayed so he can get a competency exam.
Waire and former WMU Basketball player Joviair Kennedy are charged with the drug related shooting death of WMU Student Jacob Jones. The mental testing will delay that prosecution at least until October. Kennedy was kicked off the team when he was charged.
The suspect in one of Kalamazoo’s latest murders will make his first appearance in a Kalamazoo courtroom today. Zachary Patten will be formally charged with open murder for the shooting death of a woman at the Americana Estates Mobile Home Park on July 20th.
