Hearing in Oklahoma to decide on trial of murder suspects

A court hearing was held in Oklahoma on Wednesday for the five suspects accused of murdering two women in southwest Kansas.

A hearing was held in Texas County, Oklahoma, for 31-year-old Paul Grice, 43-year-old Tad Cullum, 54-year-old Tifany Adams, 50-year-old Cole Twombly and 44-year-old Cora Twombly to consolidate their cases and set a tentative trial date.

The suspects are charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping and conspiracy to commit murder in connection with the deaths of Veronica Butler and Jillian Kelley of Hugoton earlier this year. Investigators said the killings were related to a custody dispute between Adams and Butler.

Lawyers have until September 9 to present arguments on whether the five suspects should be tried together. A preliminary hearing has been set for September 18.

[ photo:  clockwise from top left, Tad Cullum, Cole Twombly, Cora Twombly, Tifany Adams.  Paul Grice not pictured ]