With the case against 19-year-old Andrew Jewell to proceed to preliminary examinations next week, Sanilac County prosecutors have signaled they plan to close some proceedings to the public, due child witnesses being called for sensitive testimony.
Jewell was charged with attempted unlawful imprisonment, attempted kidnapping/child enticement and assault/battery in August, after trying to drag an 8-year-old girl into the bathroom of local Hope Thrift Store.
With the 8-year-old victim and her younger brother expected to take the stand to recount the afternoon events of August 25, assistant prosecuting attorney Robert Heyboer broached the closing of the courtroom to the public during testimony to District Court Judge Greg Ross. Judge Ross requested the prosecutor’s office submit a formal request in writing stating the reasons why the children’s welfare would be affected by open court testimony, so both the judge and the defendant’s attorney could review.
The defendant’s most recently appointed attorney, Eric Scott, assured Judge Ross he would be ready to represent his client at the Tuesday, December 5th preliminary examination, having recently received the file from Jewell’s former counsel.
It’s unclear how soon the prosecutor’s office will file the necessary forms for the request, and if next Tuesday’s hearing at 1:30 p.m. will be closed to the public.
