Here is my rundown of the hearing. Link to the hearing video:
Judge increases Megan Boswell’s bond to $150,000
First the Judge goes over MB's assets to declare her indigent and appoint her attorney. She confirmed she has no job, no property, and receives no government assistance. She had a car but does not currently own it. Since she does not have assets or income to reasonably pay for an attorney, her attorney is appointed. Everyone is here on a motion by the state to increase MB's bond. Anticipating his appointment, her attorney Brad Sproles (BS) prepared his response so they could go ahead and hear the bond increase motion.
Judge notes MB is here on a false reporting charge. The state confirms a public indictment has not been issued for the charge yet. Judge also confirms MB is being held in contempt from the juvenile court (Juvenile Court is confidential so we likely will not hear more about this until later).
TBI special agent Brian Fraley testified in support of the state's motion to increase bond. Confirmed that he interviewed MB on multiple occasions. He concluded several false statements were made. He said those false statements led to significant resources and man hours wasted and time lost in trying to find the missing child.
BF states on March 6 there was a search conducted at the house of MB's relatives: brother, father, and grandmother. TBI found the body found of a 1 year old child dressed in the clothing described by the defendant, who they believe to be Evelyn. Also found clothing, toys, diapers, and other things that would belong to a 1 year old child.
BF states MB made trips out of town, including to Texas in October 2019, and she has connections to NC, VA, and TX. Defense points out that most of MB's contacts are within the state.
Lots of sidebar conversations that I wish we could hear.
Judge: Mr. Fraley, during your investigation did MB make any inculpatory statements regarding the death of Evelyn Boswell?
BF: Inculpatory? Yes
[I have had a few messages about this exchange. I hear both the Judge and BF say "inculpatory." Inculpatory statements are statements that tend to prove the guilt of the defendant. Exculpatory statements are statements that tend to disprove the guilt of the defendant.]
Judge: Court is aware that MB does not have criminal history or a history of failing to appear, however, she does have ties to Virginia and Texas and she's gone to those two states recently.
The Court is also concerned that during the course of the investigation, MB has made inculpatory statements regarding the death of her child. Thus, weighing the positive and negative factors I must consider for bond... background and mental state of the defendant,
I think that's going to be a negative considering the statements she made implicating herself in her child's death.
Judge: Reading the affidavit, the probability for conviction on the false statements is really high. No one has testified here today, no members of the community, who would vouch for her. Weighing all of these factors, the court thinks the bond should be increased to $150,000.
Court: When is this case going to the grand jury?
DA: We think April. Next grand jury is next week but we don't think we'll be ready. I think we will be ready to present the case and some
other related false reports in April. We intend to submit them in April.
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My notes: the bolded lines are exact quotes and stood out to me. The DA said they will be bringing additional charges for false reporting - I wonder, against MB? Or against others?
