TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Prosecutors are looking for first degree murder charges for a woman charged as an accessory.
Paige Vowell was arrested for accessory after the fact to a murder that occurred in May. She was released on $25,000 bond.
The state says, Vowell had been communicating with a victim from the night of the crime and she didn't show up for court in Wakulla County. After violating the conditions of her release, prosecutors asked for her bond to be revoked but instead the judge reinstated her bond.
Vowell is among eight people charged in connection to the murder of Hoyt Birge.
Birge was shot to death and put in the trunk of the car. Vowell is accused of cleaning up the crime scene.
A grand jury will meet next week to consider upgrading her charges.
Vowell's lawyer sent out this statement regarding the case:
"This morning the Court concluded that the State's allegations regarding Ms. Vowell's violations of her bond conditions were unfounded and not supported by the evidence presented by the State.
It is the defense's position that this was an ill fated attempt to circumvent Ms. Vowell's right to a speedy trial, which is currently scheduled to commence on 10/30/17.
However, given Ms. Capleman's statement to the press earlier today, it appears that this matter will be presented to the grand jury for a second time, in yet another attempt to get an indictment for 1st degree murder against Ms. Vowell. One would wonder what has changed evidentiary wise to warrant such an attempt, or if this just another attempt to effectuate a delay in Ms. Vowell's trial by the State."