WEXFORD COUNTY— The Wexford County couple accused of killing Rebecca Park and her unborn baby trying to get the case against them tossed out Tuesday in court.
Rebecca’s biological mother, Cortney Bartholomew, along with her husband Bradley, were in court for a probable cause hearing.
Both are charged with Rebecca’s murder.
22-year-old Rebecca Park went missing back on November 3rd, pregnant at 38 weeks and was later discovered on November 25th in the Manistee National Forest not far from where she was last reported being seen.
At that time, Cortney told police Becca was last seen getting into an unidentified vehicle at Cortney’s home, but days after Rebecca’s body was discovered, both Cortney and Bradley were arrested.
“At this point, discovery is being held hostage. We have not received one piece of paper, not one. If the government is not prepared to move forward with this case, this case never should have been charged back in December, when it was charged,” said an attorney representing Bradley Bartholomew.
At the start of the hearing, the lawyers for the Bartholomews accused the Michigan Attorney General’s Office of withholding evidence, saying they haven’t received anything additional to the probable cause affidavit. Because of that they asked the judge to toss the case or at least set bond.
“She’s been incarcerated long past the 30 days that this hearing was adjourned, to allow for the discovery to be turned over,” said an attorney for Cortney Bartholomew.
The prosecutor ‚who was not with the Attorney General’s Office, pushed back, saying while there may still be evidence being processed, there’s enough to keep Cortney and Bradley behind bars and keep the case going. He had his own requests.
“I would ask for the defendants to remain held without bond. This is a very serious case, very serious allegations. And we will be working to get discovery released as soon as possible,” said the prosecutor.
The judge weighed the arguments and set up a show cause hearing for January 30th, based on the concerns brought up by the defense, and denied bond for them, for now.
“I do understand the argument the defense is making regarding bond. I also understand the complexities of this case. However, it hasn’t been going on for a month for nothing. It sounds like there’s information out there that the defense is certainly entitled to. I will make a determination, regarding what we’re going to do with the case, regarding bond after we have the show [cause hearing],” said the judge.
The courtroom was once again packed with people wanting justice for Rebecca, like Rebecca’s adoptive mom Stephanie Park, who raised her and two of Rebecca’s siblings.
She said it’s a little frustrating with the delays but she understands.
“I would rather have all of it out there and be all of it there. I don’t want something to be missed. I want it to be all put out there so that she gets the justice she deserves,” said Stephanie.
She was happy to hear that bond was denied and was a little worried when she heard the defense attorney’s requests. Stephanie said she plans to be there until the end.
“Bradley had to make eye contact with me when he walked in. And he knows who I am now. He knows that I’m there for everything, and he’s not going to walk away, and she’s not going to walk away without one heck of a fight out of me,” said Stephanie.
Sally Yamaoka has been going to every hearing, despite not knowing Rebecca personally.
“She doesn’t have a voice anymore. And we are her voice now to get justice for what happened to her,” said Yamaoka.
Kimberly Park, Rebecca’s sister, was slated to be in court this Wednesday for her probable cause hearing. She’s charged with filing a false police report and lying to a police officer. Her court date was postponed to February 9th at 2 pm.