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Preliminary for Benzie County triple murder case postponed - Manistee News Advocate

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BEULAH – The continuation of a preliminary hearing for Robert Michael Freebold, the Elberta man charged with multiple counts of open murder, has been postponed.

The preliminary hearing was to be held on March 4 in Benzie County's 85th District Court, but according to Benzie County Prosecutor Sara Swanson, Freebold dropped his previous attorney, Jessie Williams, and is awaiting a court appointed attorney who will need time to review the case. 

A new date for the continuance of the hearing has not yet been set.

Freebold is accused of three counts of open murder after a dropped 911 call on Nov. 20 led law enforcement officers to his Elberta residence where they found Marilyn Freebold, 63, and Robert James Freebold, 27, dead from gunshot wounds at the scene.

Malachi Maloney, 20, who also lived at the residence, was taken to Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, where he died from gunshot wounds.

The accused, Robert Michael Freebold, was also taken to Munson Medical Center, where he was treated for a head wound.

In a June hearing, law enforcement officers described a home in disarray when they arrived, with Robert Michael Freebold lying injured in the doorway and the bodies of Marilyn and Robert James Freebold dead inside. A handgun was found near Robert James Freebold.

Maloney was found slumped over in a hallway, still showing signs of life, with a revolver under his arm.

Aside from where the bodies were found, blood was found in several back rooms, as well.

Emily VanBrocklin, daughter of Robert Michael Freebold and sister to Robert James Freebold and Maloney, also spoke at the hearing. She said she had seen her family members the day of the alleged shooting. She said the elder Freebold seemed "agitated." She also said Nov. 20 was the date of her deceased sister's birthday, Ginger Newbold, who had been killed several years ago. VanBrocklin testified her father often was upset on that day.

She said that Robert James Feebold had a history of drug use and that Maloney and her father occasionally got into confrontations.

At the June hearing, the defense questioned law enforcement officers about the likelihood of evidence becoming contaminated, and if they were more concerned about preserving life than preserving evidence. Officers said it would have been impossible keep the scene completely intact due to the amount of blood in the residence.

Another hearing was held in October, where medical examiner Lois Goslinoski testified she had found drugs in Robert James Freebold’s system during an autopsy, including cannabis and low levels of methamphetamine and olanzapine, a drug used to treat schizophrenia.

Williams continued to question law enforcement on the preservation of the crime scene at the October hearing, as well.

Robert Michael Freebold is currently being held in the Benzie County Jail without bond.

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