A judge has ruled there is sufficient evidence to move forward with a murder trial for 16-year-old Jordan Cole Weems, who is accused of killing his adoptive mother and placing her body in a trash cart outside their home.
Following a preliminary hearing on May 22, Judge Jill Ochs bound Weems over for trial on charges of first-degree murder, desecration of a human corpse, and unauthorized removal of a dead body.
According to court records, prosecutors presented witness testimony and evidence during the hearing, before the court overruled a defense demurrer, finding probable cause existed to proceed with the case.
Related article: Logan County teen charged with murder of adopted mother
Related article: Logan County Sheriff’s Office investigating homicide in southern Logan County
The judge scheduled Weems’ formal trial arraignment for June 19 and a detention hearing for June 17. Court records also indicate the judge denied a defense motion seeking youthful offender status and instructed Weems’ attorney to file a written motion regarding a psychological evaluation.
The charges stem from the January death of 49-year-old Spring Weems, whose body was discovered inside a trash cart outside the family’s home in the Cascata Falls neighborhood of southern Logan County.
According to investigators, deputies responded to the residence on Jan. 28 after receiving a report of a fight between two juveniles. During that response, authorities learned one of the teenagers allegedly claimed his brother had killed their mother.
Deputies later located Spring Weems’ body inside a polycart near the curb of the residence.
During an earlier court appearance, prosecutors alleged the killing was planned. Court documents state Jordan Weems admitted to waiting in a hallway overnight with a hammer before attacking his mother when she walked around a corner. Prosecutors alleged he struck her multiple times with the hammer and continued the attack until she stopped moving.
Investigators further alleged that Weems later cleaned the area and moved the victim’s body into a trash cart at the curb.
Court records also indicate a sibling told investigators Jordan had previously talked about killing his mother before her death.
Additional information presented during the investigation revealed Jordan and a sibling had recently been in trouble for sneaking out of the home and running from law enforcement. Investigators were told Spring Weems had imposed strict disciplinary measures, including requiring the boys to wear orange jumpsuits, removing bedding from their rooms, serving repetitive meals, and having them write letters of apology to police officers.
Court documents also noted Jordan Weems had recently received psychiatric treatment and had been committed to psychiatric facilities in the weeks leading up to the homicide.
Because he is charged with first-degree murder, Oklahoma law requires Weems to be prosecuted as an adult despite being 16 years old. He remains in custody, in Canadian County, without bond.
Be the first to comment on "Judge binds 16-year-old over for trial in death of adoptive mother"