CADILLAC — Cortney Bartholomew and her husband, Bradley Bartholomew, appeared in court Friday afternoon for a probable cause hearing related to the death of Rebecca Park and her unborn child. Cortney Bartholomew is Park’s biological mother.
The hearing follows a monthslong investigation that began when Park went missing Nov. 3. Her body was later discovered in the Manistee National Forest, though the body of her unborn baby has not been found.
During the proceedings, defense attorneys accused the prosecution of handing over incomplete and disorganized evidence still.
“We’re not close to scheduling for a preliminary hearing. There is discovery that, we are missing. The other issue is in the fashion that it’s coming to us. In some ways, it’s very scattered. It’s putting a lot of, pressure on our resources, on our work time,” said the defense.
Wexford County Prosecutor Johanna Carey said they were not witholding evidence.
“It’s a lot. There’s. You know, if they have a suggestion or they wanted a different way, they need to call us, but we’re giving it to them as it comes to us. The best way that we can and we have, are doing our best to keep up with it,” said Carey.
The defense team requested that Park’s body be held so they could conduct an independent autopsy.
“We have not necessarily been given the autopsy report, yet to release her remains on Monday and not allow us to review the autopsy report and to hire our own forensic autopsy. Would be a denial of due process for our client. So we’re asking that you wish an order today blocking the release of the remains,” said the defense attorneys.
The prosecutor said they had no control over when the body would be released.
“I did get a telephone call yesterday from Detective Piskor. The medical examiner’s office called him and said they are going to release the body on Monday. I, as a courtesy, let the defense know that, I don’t know what authority I have to tell them they can’t, do that. I think short of a court order, they will probably, release it on Monday,” said Carey.
In response, the judge issued a temporary restraining order to hold the body for 30 days.
Legal counsel for both defendants also requested competency hearings to determine if the couple is fit to stand trial. Bradley Bartholomew’s defense attorney told the court that an examination is necessary to ensure his client can participate in the legal process.
“Your Honor. I think, we both agree, we need competency,” the attorney said. “Competency examinations for both of our clients. I can speak for myself and my partner on this, but, we want to make sure that Mr. Bartholomew is able to understand what’s going on so that he can, assist us.”
Cortney Bartholomew’s defense attorney raised similar concerns regarding her client’s mental state. The attorney questioned whether the defendant could cooperate effectively with her legal team during the trial.
“I do have some concerns with regard to my client’s ability to fully,” the attorney said. “For lack of a better term, fully understand the process enough to be able to rationally assist in her own defense in this case.”
The prosecution stated they do not oppose the requests for competency examinations. The judge agreed to arrange the hearings for both defendants.
A preliminary exam has been scheduled for mid-May. This timeline is intended to provide the defense attorneys with the necessary time to organize their case.