Edwards waives right to preliminary hearing
JEFFERSON -- A 76-year-old, 400-pound man who was strapped to a wheelchair and breathing through an oxygen tube waived his right Thursday to a preliminary hearing on charges that he killed two teenage sweethearts 29 years ago.
A number of witnesses had been lined up to testify against Edward Wayne Edwards at the hearing, which was to determine whether there is enough evidence to put him on trial.
But the proceedings before 50 people who filled a Jefferson County courtroom were concluded in three minutes after Edwards, who spoke clearly in answering a judge’s questions, opted not to have the hearing.
Circuit Judge William Hue ordered Edwards to stand trial, although no future court dates have been set. Court records show that Edwards, who is described as weighing more than 400 pounds, suffers from a spate of maladies, including diabetes and a congestive heart disorder. He uses a pacemaker and a defibrillator and requires 24-hour nursing care, according to the documents.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department said Edwards is not being held at the county jail but that he is under guard. The department and one of Edwards’ public defenders, Jeff de la Rosa, refused to say where he is in custody.
Edwards, of Louisville, Ky., was charged July 30 with killing Tim Hack and Kelly Drew, both 19, after they disappeared from a Town of Concord wedding reception on Aug. 9, 1980.
In an amended criminal complaint filed Wednesday, the district attorney’s office said Edwards told investigators on the day he was charged that he had consensual sex with Drew, watched two men beat Hack and then saw three men beat Drew.
A break in the case occurred in early July when the State Crime Lab found Edwards’ DNA in semen found on Drew’s clothes, according to the original complaint.
Aug 28, 2009 at 10:32 a.m.
Suggest removal
SarahB1, the key thing is that he has now placed himself at the scene of the crime. To the extent that is at odds with prior statements (30 years ago and recently) it will impact his credibility.
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Even more important, by waiving this hearing he may be signalling a less vigorous defense and eventual plea bargain. With his health problems, a long sentence is not a necessity -- almost any sentence he agrees to is the equivalent of life in prison. I don't see this going to trial, and even if it does I don't see him on the witness stand.
Aug 28, 2009 at 7:18 a.m.
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