COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – One of three suspects charged in connection with the March 2018 vandalism at Oak Grove North Cemetery in Coldwater waived his preliminary exam in Branch County District Court Tuesday and had his case bound over to Circuit Court.
18-year old Jonathon Siler of Coldwater is facing two counts of malicious destruction of property over $20,000 to memorials and tombstones.
He is scheduled to appear for a Circuit Court pre-trial conference on July 30th.
20-year old Christopher Palmerton, Junior of Battle Creek is charged with malicious damage and conspiracy to damage tombstones, both 10 year felonies. He is scheduled to appear for a pre-trial conference in Circuit Court next Monday.
The case for 19-year-old William Vanness of Coldwater is also working its way through Circuit Court. A final pre-trial conference in his case is scheduled for July 30th. Vanness is facing the same charges as Palmerton.
More than 100 tombstones and grave markers were damaged or destroyed in the vandalism incident.
