STAFF REPORT

A preliminary hearing held Friday for the two defendants charged with robbing the Grog Shop liquor store has been continued to Feb. 1. John Mumey, 50, and Terry Lashley-Elliot, 32, were charged in December with one count each of first-degree robbery, a class A felony.

Neither defendant has yet been indicted by the Kenai Grand Jury. Under Alaska court rules, a preliminary hearing has to be held if a grand jury indictment has not been filed. Assistant District Attorney Craig Sparks moved to continue the hearing to Feb. 1, with neither defense attorney objecting. Judge Margaret Murphy granted the continuance.

Mumey’s attorney, Andy Haas, also filed a motion with Kenai District Attorney Kelly Lawson to allow Mumey and Lashley-Elliot to write letters to each other. Both are being held at Wildwood Pretrial Facility in Kenai.