Oklahoma judge in Kansas murder case consolidates defendant preliminary hearings

TEXAS COUNTY, Okla. (KAMR/KCIT) – Texas County Associate District Judge, A. Clark Jett ruled on Wednesday that all five defendants’ preliminary hearings will be consolidated together.

As was previously reported on MyHighPlains.com, 27-year-old Veronica Butler and 39-year-old Jilian Kelley of Hugoton, Kan., were reported missing in March. The Texas County Sheriff’s Department said the women were traveling to pick up children for a visit but never arrived at their destination. Their bodies were reported to be found in rural Texas County.

Five people were previously arrested in connection with the case: 54-year-old Tifany Adams; 43-year-old Tad Cullum; 50-year-old Cole Twombly; 44-year-old Cora Twombly; and 31-year-old Paul Grice. They each faced multiple charges, including suspicion of murder and kidnapping.

During the discovery hearing on Sept. 18, all parties were being heard making their cases as to whether the defendants would be separated or consolidated for the preliminary hearings in December. All parties except for Cole Twombly requested the hearings be separate.

Defense representation for Adams made the case that the hearings should be separated based on lack of discovery, the possible impediment to the defendant’s rights, the overwhelming amount of evidence and exhibits, and overall the ability to keep the hearing and trial organized.

The lawyers representing Adams stated during their oral argument that they “recommend the court eats the elephant one bite at a time.”

Defense representation for Cullum also argued for a separate hearing based on the fact the lawyers were told they might not be able to view the medical examiner report 10 days before the date of the preliminary hearing. However, the state noted during the hearing that they will be issuing a subpoena on the medical examiner about the lack of a report.

Overall, Judge Jett ruled that the preliminary hearings be consolidated based on the reasoning that the court and the state had found no cases that had evidence that a consolidated hearing would impede on the defendant’s rights or would impose that they could not consolidate at all. Jett quoted two cases heavily during this decision including Wilson v. Morris from 1981 and Thompson v. State from 1911.

The next discovery hearing is scheduled on Oct. 16 at 9 a.m. only as needed and the court will issue a notice on whether that hearing will happen either the Friday before the hearing or the Monday before the hearing. The preliminary hearings for Adams, Cullum, Cole, and Cora are scheduled for Dec. 17 at 9 a.m.

Adams’ lawyers noted after the decision that they are still missing half of the discovery and have had “no chance” to look at half of the evidence already given by the state.

Further, Texas County officials confirmed that Grice appeared in another hearing with his attorneys after the end of the motion hearing which included the other defendants. During that hearing, Grice submitted waivers to his right to a speedy trial and preliminary examination. His next appearance in court was set for Feb. 19, 2025.

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