The mother of Amanda Thompson, who was fatally shot at her home, is questioning the court process after the accused, Rickey Crouch, did not appear for his hearing originally scheduled hearing Wednesday morning at Erie County Courthouse.
"I'm just really irritated to say people that did not protect my daughter are protecting him, and it's irritating," Thompson's mother, Muril Hadden said. "We've already waited for almost seven weeks, and now we gotta wait even longer."
Crouch, 49, is charged with first-degree murder for shooting Thompson, who prosecutors say was an ex-girlfriend of Crouch's and a mother of four, in July.
Crouch was present for a hearing at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday after Judge Kelly Vacco issued a drag order, which typically is used when the accused refuses to appear in court. Crouch was medically cleared and willing to appear, but had extenuating circumstances because he was under what Vacco called a "one-on-one" designation because of possible suicide concerns. That reportedly led to issues in transporting Crouch to court.
Assistant District Attorney Christopher Safulko is filing a protection order to designate specific items of evidence within the case as viewable, but Crouch and his defense attorney would not be allowed to have possession of any specific pieces.
Crouch's defense attorney said the terms weren't what they had hoped for, but still acceptable.
