An attorney has been appointed for another of the four people charged in a child abuse case in Outagamie County.
Melissa Goodman was in court for her preliminary hearing, where it was learned she had recently been appointed legal representation.
She, along with her husband and the victim’s father, Walter Goodman, her daughter Savana LeFever, and LeFever’s partner Kayla Stemler, have all been arrested after a 14-year-old girl living in the Goodman home was discovered severely malnourished.
The teen was said to weigh only 35 pounds when she was rescued. FOX11 reports that the victim is now recovering with the mother’s side.
With all four suspects now represented by a lawyer, preliminary hearings have been put on the docket.
The court process is a lengthy one, with the preliminary hearing only step number two of seven.
At a preliminary hearing, the court determines if there is enough evidence to stand trial after the prosecution presents its case in search of probable cause.
Then comes the arraignment, where the suspect will plead guilty, not guilty, or no contest, which is when an individual denies any wrongdoing but admits there is enough evidence to convict.
Then comes discovery.
This is when the defence and prosecution exchange evidence to develop their strategies and narrow down the scope of the case.
Before the case finally goes to trial, each side will have the opportunity to file pretrial motions, which can include requests to dismiss the case, suppress evidence, or change the venue.
And finally, if no plea deal is reached, the case will go to trial.
Melissa Goodman is due for her preliminary hearing on December 16th, Walter had his scheduled for January 5th, and LeFever and Stemler are due for theirs on December 19th.
