MUSKEGON, Mich. - A Muskegon County judge has ruled that Jeffrey Willis will stand trial for his three crimes separately, instead of in one consolidated trial.
Willis is accused of murdering Rebekah Bletsch in 2014 and of kidnapping and killing Jessica Heeringa in 2013 in Muskegon County. He is also accused of abducting a teen in 2016, which is what eventually led to his arrest.
Judge William Marietti ruled Friday afternoon that separate trials would ensure a fair trial and combining them would be a "factual nightmare" for the jury.
"A three-part trial, I think it’s asking too much, and I think it runs too much of a risk of introducing unfairness and perhaps even error to take that risk," said Judge Marietti.
Rebekah Bletsch's father and sisters listened in the courtroom. Her father tells FOX 17 although this delays justice, he agrees with having individual trials.
"[Jeffrey Willis is] pure evil with a twisted mind that deserves the death penalty," said Nick Winberg, Bletsch's father. "If it takes a little longer, fine with me, but I’m looking forward to a conviction and a sentencing, and as they say, lock him up and throw away the key."
Marietti also ruled that Willis's trial in the Bletsch case, which was scheduled to start in June, will likely be moved to a later date this summer. Prosecutor DJ Hilson will be making a request next week for a trial date.
