By: Lydia Crawley
The Parsons Advocate
The arraignment of Cory DiBartolomeo, who was indicted in October by a Tucker County Grand Jury on Burglary and Conspiracy charges has been postponed until December. The move came at a hearing before Judge Steven Shaffer on November 19th in the 22nd Judicial Circuit Court in Parsons.
The 31 year old DiBartolomeo appeared in person in court with his attorney Brent Easton appearing via Teams.
DiBartolomeo acknowledged receiving a copy of the indictment, but said that he had not read the document. He also claimed that while he had discussed the matter with his attorney, he did not understand enough to feel comfortable moving forward with the arraignment at this time.
Judge Shaffer agreed that given the level of confusion surrounding DiBartolomeo during the proceeding, he felt that it was best that DiBartolomeo’s attorney be physically present for the arraignment hearing.
“I would never violate someone’s rights,” Judge Shaffer said.
Judge Shaffer ruled that the matter be continued until an arraignment hearing could be held in December on the two charges.
DiBartolomeo was arrested in April along with his brother Trenton, Crystal Hensley and Levi McCauley in connection with an incident in Parsons. The four were accused of breaking into a home, restraining, severely beating and strangling the victim in connection with a large sum of money that was alleged to be owed to another individual.
The other co-defendants in the case are charged with a variety of charges. Hensley was indicted by Tucker County Grand Jury in October on four counts: Count One was Felony Burglary and Counts Two through Four were for Misdemeanor Conspiracy.
DiBartolomeo’s brother Trenton DiBartolomeo was indicted on 10 charges by a Tucker County Grand Jury in October: Count One was Felony Burglary, Count Two and Five were Misdemeanor Conspiracy, Count Three was Misdemeanor Interfering with Emergency Communications, Count Four was Felony Kidnapping and Counts Six through 10 were for Felony Strangulation. A trial date for Trenton DiBartolomeo on his 10 charges has been set for January 26th.
All co-defendants are being held without bond.
