WEXFORD COUNTY — Two suspects charged in the homicide of Rebecca Park will appear at an upcoming preliminary hearing in late January.
Per Wexford County 84th District Court records, Cortney and Bradly Bartholomew have a scheduled preliminary hearing set for 2 p.m. March 6 at the 437 E. Division St. in Cadillac.
The Bartholomews are charged in connection with the homicide of Rebecca Park. Charges include homicide, torture and conspiracy — among others.
A preliminary hearing is an early court proceeding in a criminal case where a judge decides whether prosecutors have enough evidence to keep the case moving forward.
At the hearing, prosecutors must show “probable cause,” meaning there is a reasonable basis to believe a crime was committed and the defendant may have committed it. It is not a trial and the judge does not decide guilt or innocence.
Witnesses can be called and questioned, including by the defense, though the rules are often less formal than at trial. Defense attorneys may use the hearing to challenge the strength of the evidence, cross-examine witnesses, and preserve testimony on the record.
NOTE: All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
RELATED STORIES:
- Show cause hearing on Feb. 27 for suspects in Rebecca Park murder case
- Show cause hearings on Jan. 30 for suspects in Rebecca Park murder case
- Kimberly Park probable cause hearing rescheduled to Feb. 10
- Kimberly Park to appear at probable cause hearing Feb. 9 as false report, tampering charges stick
- Wexford County couple accused of killing Rebecca Park seeks case dismissal
- Investigation continues in murder case of Rebecca Park and her baby
- Court appearances postponed until Jan. 13 for defendants in Rebecca Park case
- Court records allege Kimberly Park purposely misled police in sister’s murder investigation
- Court documents reveal gruesome details in Rebecca Park murder investigation
- Wexford County bands together to support and pay tribute to Rebecca Park and family
- Rebecca Park’s fiancé, sister released from jail on bond
- Bartholomews had numerous run-ins with law enforcement prior to Rebecca Park case
- Fundraiser to support surviving children of Rebecca Park set for Dec. 13
- Biological mother, spouse face murder and torture charges in Rebecca Park case
- Biological mother of missing Rebecca Park arrested, awaits arraignment
- Arraignment postponed for biological mother, stepfather of Rebecca Park
- Biological mother of Rebecca Park in custody in Wexford County Jail
- Wexford County officials identify body as Rebecca Park, search for baby continues
- Adoptive mother of Rebecca Park breaks silence after discovery of body
- Missing woman Rebecca Park found dead after 21-day search
- Tips mount with no investigation breakthroughs in Rebecca Park disappearance case
- Wexford Sheriff’s Office urges public to ignore online rumors in case of missing woman Rebecca Park
- Friends hold vigil for missing pregnant woman on her due date
- Community unites in search for missing pregnant woman Rebecca Park
- Cadillac area woman, 38 weeks pregnant, reportedly still missing
- Fiancé of missing pregnant woman from Manton speaks out, worried for her safety
- Family of missing pregnant woman Rebecca Park pleads for safe return
- Friends desperate for return of missing pregnant woman Rebecca Park as more details emerge
- No new evidence in 22-year-old pregnant missing woman case in Wexford County
- Cadillac community organizes search for missing pregnant woman