by: Julia Thatcher, Carina Branson
The preliminary hearings for three of the five suspects accused of murdering two southwest Kansas mothers start Tuesday.
The preliminary hearings are for Tifany Adams, Tad Cullum, and Cole Twombly.
The three face the following charges:
Two counts of murder in the first degree – deliberate intent
Conspiracy to commit murder in the first degree – deliberate intent
Two counts of unlawful removal of a dead body — for allegedly removing both bodies from the original place of death
Two counts of unlawful desecration of a human corpse — for allegedly disposing of both bodies underground, which impeded the investigation and resulted in the loss of evidence
In addition, Adams faces two counts of child neglect.
Cora Twombly and Paul Grice both waived their rights to a preliminary hearing.
The District Attorney filed a motion to have Grice and Cora testify, but it’s unknown whether they will.
Subpoenas are giving an idea of who else may speak. This includes an employee of Big R Standard Supply.
Court documents say that is where Adams bought five stun guns before the murders of Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley.
The medical examiner’s report noted possible stun gun marks on both women and that a stun gun was found underneath the buried freezer the women were found in.
Another person subpoenaed is Jamie Beasley, the property owner where the bodies were dug up.
Court documents say prepaid phones, bought by Adams, last transmitted a signal near the Twombly’s home and the Beasley’s property.
These preliminary hearings give prosecutors a chance to lay out evidence and for a judge to decide if there is enough evidence to go to trial.
The prelims are slated to last three days.
