A former cop has been formally charged with two counts of first degree murder in the deaths of two Mesa State College Students.
Jennifer Kois' mother, step-father and sister attended Tuesday's court proceedings. All were visibly shaken as they sat less than 25 feet away from Jennifer's alleged killer.
11 News spoke with Jennifer's mother Liane Vonfeldt before court. She told us they came to Grand Junction to visit the crash site and see the man who took their daughter's life. The family was also in town to gather Jennifer's belongings from her dorm room.
In court Patrick Strawmatt sat huddled with his defense attorneys who waived his right to a speedy trial and asked that the preliminary hearing date not be set until late July.
District Attorney Pete Hautzinger argued that the victims' families deserved answers and justice in a timely manner.
After hearing both arguments the judge set a preliminary hearing date for June. During the hearing the District Attorney plans to present about a half days worth of evidence.
Strawmatt is facing 22 charges including four counts of vehicular homicide. He's being held at the Mesa County Jail on a $1 million bond.
