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Trial set for man accused as accessory
Posted: Feb 27, 2013 1:27 PM by Andy Koen
Updated: Feb 27, 2013 5:34 PM
COLORADO SPRINGS - A man accused of helping a teenage homicide suspect to evade capture will stand trial for his alleged role in the crime. Jerel Couch, 19, is charged with being an accessory to murder for letting homicide suspect Macyo January stay at his apartment.
Fourth Judicial District Court Judge Deborah Grohs found probable cause today to move the case to trial. Couch pleaded not guilty on all counts.
Officers with the Colorado Springs Police Department Tactical Enforcement Unit arrested January at Couch's apartment on January 18, 4 days after the murders of David Dunlap and Whitney Butler at their home on Bassett Drive.
Couch had allegedly told visitors to the apartment to "ignore" anyone inside. He was arrested at a 7-11 convienence store near Vistas at the Citadel apartments later in the afternoon. Officers recovered an AR-15 rifle from the apartment and said that Couch lied to them about where January was.
Couch's attorney Phil Dubois argued that the evidence didn't prove that his client actually "rendered assistance" to January. Judge Grohs said that was an argument better left to a jury. Couch's trial is scheduled to begin July 16.
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