10/26/12 - All lights are green for a December 3rd trial date for the man charged in the 2008 double-homicide of his brother and sister-in-law in Oceola Township. 66-year-old Jerome Kowalski is charged with two counts of open murder and felony firearms in the shooting deaths of Richard and Brenda Kowalski on May 1st, 2008. Authorities say Kowalski admitted he killed the couple but his attorney insists the statements were only made after a lengthy interrogation. An evidentiary hearing that began last month continued Thursday, with decisions about exhibits and jury instruction made behind closed doors. The evidentiary hearing was ordered by the Michigan Supreme Court, which directed 53rd District Court Judge Theresa Brennan to reconsider her decision to exclude expert testimony pertaining to Kowalskiâs psychological condition. All of the parties earlier reached an agreement to allow testimony pertaining to Kowalskiâs susceptibility to influence from authority, so long as it did not make claims about whether it actually influenced his confession. A final status conference will be held on November 20th to finalize the decisions reached at Thursdayâs hearing. Barring a development or possible plea deal, jury selection will get underway December 3rd.
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