Double-murder suspect Bobby Spikes is in the thick of preparing to go to trial, and several matters concerning evidence were discussed in Christian Circuit Court Friday afternoon.
Spikes is charged in the 2021 fatal shooting deaths of Candace Marcel and Stanley Bussell, and he heads to trial on September 15 with defense attorney Jason McGee. McGee and special prosecutor Blake Chambers made their arguments about certain species of evidence that should, or should not be, admissible at trial.
Some of that evidence includes possible hearsay evidence from one of the deceased in the case, and testimony regarding her knowledge of Spikes whereabouts and other matters leading up to the alleged murders.
Chambers contends that is not hearsay evidence—they were able to find an exact date to back up that evidence.
Ultimately, Judge John Atkins did rule that those articles will be admissible at trial, though he says he is willing to hear further arguments against it, should McGee finds case trial to back up his arguments.
There were other matters discussed, including that one expert witness may not be able to be in attendance for the trial, how the possession of a handgun charge will be presented to the jury and more.
A second pretrial hearing was set for August 27 to wrap up any further matters that need to be addressed before trial.
Spikes is charged with murder in the deaths of Bussell and Marcel, who was found deceased in a vehicle in Trigg County, which lead to the search and ultimately discovery of Bussell on Clearman Court in 2021. Along with two counts of murder, Bobby Spikes is charged with two counts of robbery in the first degree, kidnapping, tampering with physical evidence and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon.
His son, Kendall Spikes, has already entered a guilty plea in connection with this case to complicity to tampering with physical evidence and hindering prosecution or apprehension in the first-degree.