The cases against three remaining defendants accused of killing Iolan Shawn Cook in March 2016 will be consolidated for a single preliminary hearing.
Allen County Magistrate Judge Tod Davis on Tuesday approved County Attorney Jerry Hathaway’s motion to consolidate cases against Rhonda Jackson, James Myers and Joshua Knapp for a preliminary hearing scheduled for May 31 and June 1.
Davis’ ruling came during what was supposed to be Jackson’s preliminary hearing.
Hathaway, however, opened the proceedings by announcing he had filed the consolidation motion.
Robert Myers, Jackson’s attorney, objected to the motion, contending an additional delay violated Jackson’s rights to a speedy trial.
“In light of the history of the case, and the delays we’ve had, it’ll be close to a year she’s been in custody before we’re even close to having a preliminary hearing,” Myers said.
“I’m aware of the due process concerns, and I’m not unsympathetic,” Davis replied.
However, due to the severity of the allegations, Davis said the consolidation motion was appropriate.
Davis also rejected Myers’ motion to have Jackson’s bond reduced from $1 million to $25,000 cash or surety.
Additionally, Davis approved Hathaway’s request to consolidate a second case against Jackson; prior to being charged with murder, Jackson had been charged with distributing a controlled substance.
JACKSON, Knapp and Myers are three of the five defendants originally charged with first-degree murder in Cook’s killing.
Iolan Amber Boeken pleaded guilty Feb. 27 to one count of second-degree murder as part of a plea deal.
In exchange for the lesser charge, Boeken has agreed to testify against the other defendants.
She will be sentenced April 10.
Jessica Epting, 33, also had been charged with murder. She pleaded guilty in January to a pair of misdemeanor charges, interfering with law enforcement and obstruction of justice,. She received a suspended jail sentence.
COOK, 33, was last seen by relatives March 13, 2016; they reported him missing four days later.
His disappearance sparked a 16-day, countywide manhunt before his body was discovered northwest of Iola along the Neosho River.
