Michaels seeks bail in homicide case
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A motion for bail has been scheduled for a hearing next week in the case of Kenneth Richard Michaels, 65, the chief executive officer of a local telecommunications firm accused of fatally shooting a relative, according to PennLive.
Michaels is seeking a "reasonable bail."
Michaels has been detained without bail since Sept. 1, after being charged with killing John Roskowski, 69, on Aug. 17 in the lobby of the business in Old Lycoming Township, according to PennLive.
Bail in a homicide case can be set only by a common pleas judge.
The motion for bail filed in county court notes the lack of a criminal record for Michaels, PennLive reported.
The motion also highlights Michaels' status as a lifelong resident of Lycoming County, an active church member, and goes on to say that he is not a flight risk and worked at the business for 40 years -- the last 20 of which he has been CEO, PennLive reported.
Michaels contends he is being detained illegally because there has not been a hearing at which the prosecution has the burden to prove by presenting live evidence, according to PennLive.
A person is considered innocent until proven guilty and the primary purpose of bail is to assure presence at trial, Michael said, according to PennLive.
The bail hearing is set for Wednesday at 10 a.m. in front of President Judge Nancy Butts.
Michaels was ordered to stand trial on charges of criminal homicide and voluntary manslaughter in connection with the shooting death of Roskowski, during a September hearing in front of District Judge William Solomon.
No trial date has been set.