BEULAH -- A judge told accused murderer Joni Holbrook to provide a doctor's note if she wants to remain free on bond.
Holbrook, 47, is charged with an open count of murder in the Aug. 10 shooting death of her husband, Michigan State Police Sgt. Melvin P. Holbrook. Defense attorneys contend she has serious heart problems, so Benzie District Judge Nancy Kida granted bond and allowed her to live with her parents after her October preliminary examination.
Benzie Prosecutor John B. Daugherty recently filed a motion to have bond revoked, and Circuit Judge James M. Batzer on Tuesday gave Holbrook 21 days to submit a physician's note explaining why she can't be in jail.
"I'd like some kind of statement as to what the effect of being in jail as opposed to her present bond situation might be on her medical condition," he said.
Holbrook attorney Jesse L. Williams was "baffled" by Daugherty's motion. She hasn't violated bond conditions, he said, and Daugherty didn't object when bond initially was granted.
Batzer wasn't shocked by Daugherty's motion, he said, especially considering the charge.
"You're baffled, I'm not," he told Williams. "I'm unsurprised."
Police believe Holbrook shot her husband with his service weapon as he slept in the couple's Benzie County residence. She allegedly admitted to shooting him during a 911 call.
Melvin Holbrook, 53, was a 23-year state police veteran who served as a desk sergeant at the Traverse City post. Police found his Sig Sauer .40 caliber handgun sitting on a kitchen counter when they responded to the 911 call.
In a separate motion, Williams asked Batzer to appoint a special investigator to help with the defense. Williams said he needs to help log evidence and interview numerous witnesses.
Some of the information Williams seeks to obtain pertains to Melvin Holbrook's alleged abusive tendencies, he said. Batzer denied the motion.
"You're going to have to relate that to a legal defense to a charge of murder, and you haven't done that," he told Williams.
Holbrook's trial is scheduled for April.
