WEXFORD COUNTY — New details in the investigation into Rebecca Park’s death are giving a clearer look at the serious charges Cortney and Bradly Bartholomew are facing.
According to court documents, the pair is charged with premeditated first-degree murder, felony murder, torture, and assault that caused the loss of a full-term pregnancy. Each of these charges could result in life in prison.
The documents describe severe injuries and signs of extreme violence. In cases like this, the extent of the injuries, the condition of the victim, and what investigators find at the scene help prosecutors decide which charges fit and whether the evidence supports the most serious homicide counts.
Michigan law also allows additional charges when an unborn child is involved. An attorney not connected to this case, Sarissa Montague, says medical findings, forensic evidence, and expert reviews will likely play a big role in how prosecutors move forward.
Another major question people are asking is whether the homicide happened on federal land. Parts of Wexford County overlap with the Huron-Manistee National Forest, and if investigators determine the killing took place inside the Manistee National Forest, the case would switch from state to federal court.
That change would bring in different investigators, different prosecutors, and different possible penalties.
In federal homicide cases, agencies like the FBI can take the lead. Federal penalties also differ from Michigan’s, and the federal system allows the death penalty — something Michigan does not.
As evidence continues to be reviewed and more forensic reports come in, the case is expected to move forward with more court hearings and filings.
Cases involving this many charges and this level of injury often take longer to work through due to the amount of documentation and expert analysis involved.
This story will be updated as new information becomes available and as the case continues through the legal process.
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