A Mount Carmel man facing multiple domestic violence charges was back in court Thursday for a pre-trial hearing.
During the hearing, State’s Attorney Kelli Storckman and defense attorney Melissa Doran discussed evidentiary issues. Doran is expected to provide discovery to the prosecution by February 12th, ahead of the final pretrial hearing scheduled for February 19th. Judge Denton Aud stated that the defendant’s continued confinement remains necessary.
Earlier this month, 34-year-old Jeremy Birkla waived his preliminary hearing and entered pleas of not guilty to all charges. A motion for pre-trial release was denied, with the court finding that Birkla’s continued detention is required to avoid a real and present threat to the safety of individuals or the community, based on specific, articulable facts of the case. Birkla remains lodged in the Wabash County Jail.
According to court records, Birkla is charged with aggravated domestic battery, a Class 2 felony, after allegedly choking his girlfriend during an incident on November 23rd. He also faces charges of unlawful restraint, domestic battery, and interference with the reporting of domestic violence, stemming from allegations that he prevented the woman from leaving, struck her in the face, and took her phone to keep her from contacting police or medical personnel.
Prosecutors have also filed a separate domestic battery charge related to an alleged incident on November 21st, along with criminal damage to property for allegedly breaking the victim’s vehicle window on November 10th.
A jury trial set for March 2nd.
Court records further show Birkla previously pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the 2012 death of Billy Gunzel and was sentenced to probation and periodic imprisonment.
