KALAMAZOO, MI (WTVB) – Suspected mass murderer Jason Dalton is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Friday at 9 a.m. to determine if there is enough evidence on the 16-felony counts he faces, to warrant a trial, following a shooting spree in February.
The 45-year-old from Cooper Township is officially charged with six counts of open murder, two counts of assault with intent to commit murder and eight counts of using a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Several things could happen that could make it a long or a short hearing.
There is a chance Defense Attorney Eusebio Solis could ask for a delay given the complexities of the case, which was investigated by three separate police agencies. The District Judge would have to grant his motion.
Defense Attorney Solis also has the option, with the consent of his client to waive the preliminary hearing and proceed to Circuit Court. It’s a strategy often employed by defense attorneys in high profile cases. It prevents the Prosecution’s evidence against the suspect from being splashed all over the media before the case goes to trial.
If there is a hearing on all 16 charges, it could take all day, maybe longer. Prosecutor Jeff Getting says he is prepared to call six to eight witnesses, including investigators, if required and won’t need to rely on the statements made by Dalton during police interrogation to get the case to trial.
