L. MACUNGIE TWP., Pa. – Joshua and Tracy Dechant were in court on Thursday, the defense seeking to adjust bail conditions that would allow them to have contact with their other three children.
The couple is accused of starving their teen sons and forcing them to stand naked in the freezing cold outside their Lower Macungie Township home in January of last year, when the boys were 15 years old.
“Counsel has now been assigned by the court for both of the defendants and that will help move the case forward,” Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin Holihan said. “It was slowed for a while they worked through efforts to obtain council.”
The defense on Thursday argued to modify bail conditions, as the couple seeks to have contact with three of their other children, not the victims in this case.
While this case moves through criminal court, there is also a case in dependency court.
The defense arguing to modify those current bail conditions in this case subject to what happens in dependency court.
Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin Holihan spoke to us about why his team argued against modifying those bail conditions.
“Generally, our position is when a defendant can have contact with someone, they are close with who’s a potential witness. There’s always a possibility that will taint testimony either intentionally or unintentionally. We think in the light of this case it is a substantial factor in order to keep this case on track,” said Holihan.
The judge ultimately denying the request to change bail without prejudice.
The judge saying it is too premature to rule on it since there is still a ways to go in dependency court.
The defense told 69 News they had no comment.
The Dechant’s are expected back in court on this case on May 7.
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