New court documents have been released in the death investigations of slain Kansas mothers, Jillian Kelley and Veronica Butler.
On Thursday, the Texas County District Attorney filed a motion to hold Paul Grice, the fifth person arrested in connection to Butler and Kelley’s death, without bail.
According to the motion, there were three reasons involved in the decision: Proof of guilt is evident, violent offenses are believed to have happened, and he’s facing a maximum sentence of life or life without parole.
The DA claimed Grice is a “continuing threat to society” for plotting to kidnap and murder the victims amid a tumultuous custody dispute. Court documents also indicated that the defendant is “therefore willing to take any extreme, violent measure to protect himself and thwart the criminal justice process.”
The language is virtually identical to that used in the motion to hold codefendant Tifany Adams without bail.
“No conditions exist which would effectively assure the safety of the community or any person involved in this case, including court officials” court documents read, according to KSN.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Grice allegedly admitted during a police interview on Tuesday “that he participated in the killing of [Veronica] Butler and [Jilian] Kelley and their subsequent burial.”
The victims were on their way to Texas County, Oklahoma, on the morning of March 30 to pick up Butler’s children for a scheduled visitation from their paternal grandmother, Tifany Adams, when they vanished. Adams was involved in a custody battle with Butler when the pair were killed.
According to her affidavit, Adams also “did provide a recorded statement to law enforcement indicating her responsibility for the death of the deceased.”
Adams, 54; Tad Cullum, 43; Cole Twombly, 50; and Cora Twombly, 44, have already been charged with two counts of murder, two counts of kidnapping, and conspiracy in the deaths of Veronica Butler, 27, and Jilian Kelley, 39, on March 30
It’s unclear why police didn’t arrest Grice when the others were arrested. His arrest came nine days later.
Grice’s next court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday. A judge will determine at that time a bond will be given.
Check back for updates.
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast.
[Featured image: Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley/Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation]
