BEULAH -- Attorneys for murder suspect Joni K. Holbrook can continue to speak publicly about the case, a judge ruled.
Benzie District Judge Nancy Kida on Thursday denied Prosecutor John B. Daugherty's motion to stop Holbrook's attorneys from speaking to the media about the case, rejecting Daugherty's allegations that they were "endangering the fair trial right of the People."
Holbrook, 47, is held on an open count of murder in the Aug. 10 shooting death of her husband, Michigan State Police Sgt. Melvin P. Holbrook. Police believe she shot Holbrook, 53, with his service revolver as he slept inside the couple's Benzie County home.
Holbrook's defense team -- Jesse Williams, of Traverse City, Jim Amberg, of Oakland County, and Dean Robb, of Suttons Bay -- fought the motion in a short hearing before Kida ruled.
Amberg argued a gag order would hamper Joni Holbrook's "fundamental right" of free speech.
"She has a right to free speech, and not only does she have a right to free speech, but Mr. Williams does, as well as myself," he told Kida.
Williams called Joni Holbrook a victim of physical, mental and sexual abuse at an Aug. 18 press conference in Traverse City, though he wouldn't provide details when pressed by reporters.
"The statements that were made by Mr. Williams were not specific, factual statements, they were general statements," Amberg said, adding that police and Daugherty have repeatedly spoken with reporters about the case.
"To accuse Mr. Williams' statements of (being improper) when the people have put out all sorts of statements right after this happened without doing any type of investigation, I find that akin to the pot calling the kettle black," Amberg said.
Daugherty was "disappointed" by Kida's ruling.
"I don't necessarily agree with it, but we'll carry forth," he said.
Joni Holbrook called 911 at around 1 a.m. Aug. 10 and said she shot her husband, authorities said. Police responded to the couple's Benzie County residence soon after and found Melvin Holbrook dead in a bedroom from apparent gunshot wounds.
Melvin Holbrook, a 23-year veteran of the state police, served as desk sergeant at the Traverse City post since 2002.
Joni Holbrook continues to be held at the Benzie County Jail without bond. Williams asked that a bond be set because Holbrook is suffering from strokes and needs medical attention, but Kida turned down the request.
A preliminary examination, held to determine if there is enough evidence to send the case to trial, is scheduled for Sept. 28.
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- Lawyer: Joni Holbrook 'victim and survivor'
- State police join Holbrook investigation
- Sgt. Holbrook remembered at funeral
- Suspect's friends troubled by murder charge
- Questions build in trooper's death
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