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| Robert Fisk |
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| Timothy Stephan |
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3/14/2009 1:18:00 AM
Howard City couples' murder trial is postponed indefinitely
Elisabeth Waldon
Staff Writer
GRAND RAPIDS - A trial has been postponed for two Howard City men who are accused of robbing, kidnapping and killing a Howard City couple last October.
Robert "Bobby" Jay Fisk, 25, and Timothy Stephan, 28, are charged with first-degree premeditated murder, felony murder, armed robbery, kidnapping, two counts of first-degree home invasion, weapons felony firearm, weapons firearms possession by a felon and first-degree conspiracy to home invasion in the abduction and deaths of Robert and Norma Bean, both 66, the morning of Oct. 6, 2008.
Fisk also has been charged with being a habitual offender third offense while Stephan is charged with being a habitual offender fourth offense.
Both men face life in prison if convicted. They have pleaded not guilty.
Fisk and Stephan were originally set to go to trial Monday, but that has been postponed, according to Kent County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Helen Brinkman.
"Mr. Fisk is undergoing a competency exam at the request of the defense," Brinkman said. "The prosecution is still awaiting DNA testing on both men."
The two men are facing separate trials. A motion to consolidate the trials was denied.
Fisk and Stephan were arrested shortly after the Beans were found shot to death in a gravel pit on the north side of Beardslee Road near the Montcalm County-Kent County line. According to testimony from Kent County sheriff's detectives, Fisk and Stephan confessed to the killings the same day they were arrested.
The two allegedly broke into the Beans' home once while the couple were sleeping and again later that night, this time wearing face masks, awakening the Beans and forcing them into the couple's own vehicle.
The foursome attempted to withdraw cash from automated teller machines (ATMs) at Independent Bank and First Bank, both in Howard City, and Independent Bank in Sand Lake using the Beans' debit cards.
All the attempts were unsuccessful, either because the pair could not get the personal identification number correct or because the ATMs weren't operating correctly.
Fisk and Stephan drove around for some time before stopping at the gravel pit, where Fisk allegedly shot Norma Bean in the face at point-blank range. Investigators say Robert Bean then wrestled for the gun with Fisk and Stephan, angry that a promise not to hurt Norma Bean had been broken.
Stephan then allegedly shot Robert Bean in the head.
Police say Fisk and Stephan then began to drive away from the scene but one of the men had forgotten his cell phone. They returned to retrieve the phone and the vehicle became stuck in the process. The two men then left on foot.
Fisk was arrested near the scene soon thereafter while Stephan was arrested at the Malone's Log Cabin convenience store at 14798 14 Mile Road NE as he was about to get a ride away from the scene.
According to testimony, Stephan drank a bottle of cough medicine and took 11 Vicodin pills after the first home invasion while Fisk took one or two Vicodins. Both men also had been drinking alcohol that evening.
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Posted: Monday, March 16, 2009
Article comment by:
Leslie
Beans were good and loving people. And they are greatly missed. Stop delaying get them out of jail and in prison where they belong!!!
Posted: Sunday, March 15, 2009
Article comment by:
mark
They are in for life , starting last october , no matter what happens , there done ! but on the other hand , JIM WESTRA gets the same punishment , and he didn't do anything like this , whats up with that ? plus he has to pay the money back ...
Posted: Sunday, March 15, 2009
Article comment by:
Mr Bobo
i wasn't even aware that they were a couple...
Posted: Saturday, March 14, 2009
Article comment by:
Michell
Do unto others!
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