Competency Hearing Delayed For Man Charged In Wife's Death; Kids Still Missing
DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - A competency hearing for a Detroit man charged in the slaying of his estranged wife has been adjourned — while the woman's two children are still missing.
The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office says a psychiatrist evaluating 26-year-old Erin Justice had not yet completed an independent forensic report ahead of Tuesday's hearing.
The competency hearing and preliminary examination on whether there's enough evidence to send the case to trial have been rescheduled for May 5. Earlier court dates in the case were delayed.
Alicia Fox's 6-year-old daughter, Kaylah Hunter, and her 8-month-old son, Kristian Justice, have been missing since late May. Fox's decomposed body was found about two weeks following the family's disappearance in a vacant house about six miles from their home.
The woman's relatives think Justice, who is Kristian's father, knows where the children are, although he hasn't been charged in their disappearance.
Police received a tip that the children might be found in Rouge Park — which is the largest park in the city of Detroit — but authorities and volunteers found no sign of the kids; and Detroit Police Chief James Craig has said investigators have no idea if they're dead or alive.
Investigators found Justice in the Atlanta, Georgia area where he fought extradition before he was finally brought back to Michigan last August.
A second Detroit man, 27-year-old Timothy Jones, has been charged as an accessory after the fact in Fox's death.
Justice remains held without bond on first-degree murder and weapons charges.
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