BEULAH -- A Benzie County judge soon will decide whether accused murderer Joni Holbrook should remain free on bond as she awaits trial.
Holbrook is charged with an open count of murder in the Aug. 10 shooting death of her husband, Michigan State Police Sgt. Melvin P. Holbrook. District Judge Nancy Kida granted Joni Holbrook bond several weeks after her arrest, but Circuit Judge James M. Batzer on Dec. 8 told her she needed to produce a doctor's note to remain free.
Kida granted bond because Holbrook's attorneys said she had a severe heart condition, but Batzer wanted a doctor's note as proof.
Her attorneys recently produced documents requested by Batzer, Benzie County Prosecutor J.B. Daugherty said. He wouldn't provide details.
A hearing is expected to be scheduled shortly. Batzer is expected to make a decision on Holbrook's bond then.
Holbrook attorney Jesse L. Williams said her defense team submitted letters from three professionals, including two medical doctors.
"Judge Batzer, in my opinion, has been very reasonable about this, and I'm hopeful he'll let her stay out," Williams said. "It's so important for her defense to have access to her; there's so much work to be done."
Daugherty told Batzer Holbrook should be locked up because of the severity of the charge, though her attorneys questioned why he didn't initially challenge bond when Kida granted it in October.
Authorities believe Holbrook, 48, shot her husband with his service weapon as he slept in their home on Derby Lane. She allegedly called 911 and told a dispatcher she shot him.
Melvin Holbrook, 53, was a 23-year state police veteran who most recently served as a desk sergeant at the Traverse City post. He previously served at posts in Coldwater, Ionia, Manistee and Richmond.
Holbrook's trial is scheduled for April.
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