COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Three young men charged in connection with the vandalism last March at Coldwater’s Oak Grove North Cemetery will go on trial in two weeks.
Final pre trial conferences were held on Monday in Branch County Circuit Court and a jury trial for all three is scheduled to start October 16, 2018.
19-year-old William Vanness of Coldwater and 20-year-old Christopher Palmerton, Junior are charged with malicious damage and conspiracy to damage tombstones. 18-year old Jonathon Siler of Coldwater faces two counts of malicious destruction of property $20,000 or more to memorials and tombstones.
The arrests were made after Coldwater City Police got an anonymous tip a couple of days following the vandalism.
More than 100 tombstones and grave markers were damaged or destroyed in the incident which outraged and angered the community.
