Audrey Cole murder trial rescheduled, bond reduced

The murder trial of Audrey Jean Cole (Branch) was postponed for a second time and bond was modified during a hearing Dec. 6 in Carroll County Common Pleas Court. 

On the day the jury trial was set to begin, Judge Michael V. Repella II granted the postponement and set a new trial date of Jan. 31, setting five days aside. 

Defense Attorney Chase Mallory said the request was made due to a death in the family of Defense Attorney April Campbell. 

Mallory requested bond be reduced to $50,000 with a 10 percent feature, which the judge granted, over objections from Prosecuting Attorney Steven D. Barnett. 

“She’s been in jail for seven months, has been on good behavior and has been a jail trustee,” Repella said, asking for verification from adult probation officials, who verified the conduct.

Cole must wear a GPS bracelet, have no contact with the victim’s family and cannot reside in a home where guns are present. The residence where she resides must be approved prior to posting bail.

A pretrial is scheduled Jan. 6 at 1:30 p.m.