VA - Cullen, 1, Emily Bivens, 24, & Joan Bernard, 62, Pittsylvania, murdered, 26 Aug 2019 *Arrest*

[Niner]

Friday, May 16th:
*Motions Hearing (@ 1pm ET) – VA – Emily Marie Bernard Bivens (25), Cullen Micah Bivens (14 mos.) & Joan Denise Jefferson Bernard (62) (August 27, 2019, Pittsylvania) - *Matthew Thomas Bernard (19/now 24) (bro of Emily, son of Joan) arrested & charged (8/27/19) & arraigned (9/12/19) with 3 counts of 1st degree murder & 3 counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony. No plea entered. Held without bond. On suicide watch. Pittsylvania County Circuit Court
Found competent to stand trial (7/3/24).
Trial was set to begin on 11/7/24 but was reset on 6/2/25 (thru 6/6/25)
Court info from 8/28/19 thru 8/19/24 reference post #357 here:
https://www33.websleuths.com/forums...ia-murdered-26-aug-2019-arrest.470300/page-18
10/29/24 Update: Per article trial has been reset to June 2 to thru June 6, 2025. Next pretrial motions & plea hearing on 2/21/25 @ 1pm. 1/9/25 Docket update: [37] Response re appoint expert investigator. 1/13/25 Docket update: [38] Motion to appoint expert investigator. 2/10/25 Docket updates: [39] Other-autopsies. [40] Notice to rely on autopsies.
2/21/25 Update: No info on plea hearing. 2/21/25 Docket update: [41] Appointment of expert investigator. Court site shows trial to begin on 6/2/25.
2/21/25 Update: Plea hearing was continued. Next motion hearing on 5/16/25 @ 1pm, Plea hearing on 6/2/25 @ 8:30am & trial is set to begin on 6/2/25 thru 6/6/25 @ 9am.

 

[Niner]

@Simply Southern - I can not access the court site this morning - and was wondering IF the plea hearing is still on 6/2/25 @ 8:30am - and if he doesn't take a plea - trial starts @ 9am - ??

TIA!

 

[Niner]

Looks like trial has been postponed... guessing 8/18 will be a hearing date.

09 05/16/2025 1:00PM Motion - Other Pre-Trial Continued

10 06/02/2025 8:30AM Plea Continued
11 06/02/2025 9:00AM Jury Trial 5 Day(s) No Continued

12 06/03/2025 9:00AM Jury Trial 5 Day(s) No Continued

13 06/04/2025 9:00AM Jury Trial 5 Day(s) No Continued

14 06/05/2025 9:00AM Jury Trial 5 Day(s) No Continued

15 06/06/2025 9:00AM Jury Trial 5 Day(s) No Continued

16 08/18/2025 8:00AM To Be Set

link: https://eapps.courts.state.va.us/CJISWeb/CaseDetail.do

 

[Niner]

Monday, August 18th:
*Hearing (@ 8am ET) – VA – Emily Marie Bernard Bivens (25), Cullen Micah Bivens (14 mos.) & Joan Denise Jefferson Bernard (62) (August 27, 2019, Pittsylvania) - *Matthew Thomas Bernard (19/now 24) (bro of Emily, son of Joan) arrested & charged (8/27/19) & arraigned (9/12/19) with 3 counts of 1st degree murder & 3 counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony. No plea entered. Held without bond. On suicide watch. Pittsylvania County Circuit Court
Found competent to stand trial (7/3/24).
Trial was set to begin on 11/7/24 but was reset on 6/2/25 & cancelled on 5/30/25.
Court info from 8/28/19 thru 2/21/25 reference post #361 here:
https://www33.websleuths.com/forums...ia-murdered-26-aug-2019-arrest.470300/page-19
2/21/25 Update: Plea hearing was continued. Next motion hearing on 5/16/25 @ 1pm, Plea hearing on 6/2/25 @ 8:30am & trial is set to begin on 6/2/25 thru 6/6/25 @ 9am.
5/16/25 Update: No info on hearing [can not access court site]. Next plea hearing @ 8:30am or trial set to begin on 6/2/25 @ 9am.
5/30/25 Update: Plea hearing & start of jury trial on 6/2/25 have been continued. Next hearing on 8/18/25 @ 8am.

 

[JoeFromLB]

Thanks for keeping track of this. Who knows when an actual trial will take place. Months, years from now? At least he's locked away and can't harm any other people. He must never be released regardless.

 

[Niner]

Thanks for keeping track of this. Who knows when an actual trial will take place. Months, years from now? At least he's locked away and can't harm any other people. He must never be released regardless.

Yea, I totally don't know 'what" is going on with this case. He has had trial dates set & vacated. Not the greatest court site either. They don't tell you "what" is going on, just next hearing dates....

adding - I wonder what happened with this plea deal hearing? And not finding ANY current articles on this case either.

 

[JoeFromLB]

Yea, I totally don't know 'what" is going on with this case. He has had trial dates set & vacated. Not the greatest court site either. They don't tell you "what" is going on, just next hearing dates....

adding - I wonder what happened with this plea deal hearing? And not finding ANY current articles on this case either.

Very frustrating but par for the course. In another case I'm following, the alleged killers of Sean Toomey in Philadelphia were arrested three years ago, then nothing. No news, no court hearings, nothing. Philadelphia court records unavailable (at least I can't find any) but the two suspects are held without bail, so that's good. I'm guessing it will be several more years before anything happens. I don't get it!
Media drop any coverage until an actual trial. Down the memory hole, no reporters following up on the story.

 

[Niner]

Well - the court site won't allow me access - it does that sometimes - so will keep trying....

 

[Niner]

Finally got in...

Don't know "what" is going on with this case - looks like he had a trial back in June - but was continued... lousy court site - doesn't give ANY info...

# Date Time Type Room Plea Duration Jury Result
1 08/19/2024 9:00AM Grand Jury True Bill
2 08/19/2024 9:00AM To Be Set Set For Trial
3 10/29/2024 1:00PM Motion - Other Pre-Trial 1 hour(s) Granted
4 11/07/2024 9:00AM Jury Trial 2 Day(s) No Continued Motion Of Defense
5 11/08/2024 9:00AM Jury Trial 2 Day(s) No Continued Motion Of Defense
6 02/21/2025 1:00PM Motion - Other Pre-Trial Denied
7 02/21/2025 1:00PM Plea Continued
8 04/30/2025 1:00PM Hearing Granted
9 05/16/2025 1:00PM Motion - Other Pre-Trial Continued
10 06/02/2025 8:30AM Plea Continued
11 06/02/2025 9:00AM Jury Trial 5 Day(s) No Continued
12 06/03/2025 9:00AM Jury Trial 5 Day(s) No Continued
13 06/04/2025 9:00AM Jury Trial 5 Day(s) No Continued
14 06/05/2025 9:00AM Jury Trial 5 Day(s) No Continued
15 06/06/2025 9:00AM Jury Trial 5 Day(s) No Continued

16 08/18/2025 8:00AM To Be Set Continued

17 10/20/2025 8:00AM To Be Set

link: https://eapps.courts.state.va.us/CJISWeb/CaseDetail.do