Lafferty, Hicks preliminary hearings delayed

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Hearings were delayed late last week for cases involving three people accused of arson and attempted murder.

Donald Lafferty, Christopher Hicks and Brandy Hicks are all charged with attempted murder, first-degree arson and armed criminal action. Lafferty also is charged with financial exploitation of the elderly ($50,000 or more).

All three had been scheduled to appear in court Thursday for preliminary hearings to ensure the case has merit to be transferred to Division 1.

The case was postponed to allow Brandy Hicks' attorney, who was only recently appointed, sufficient time to prepare for the hearing.

The hearings were rescheduled to take place at 2 p.m. July 17.

Lafferty was arrested May 12 in North Andover, Massachusetts, as the result of an investigation into a suspected arson at his rural Bloomfield home, which authorities say was an attempt to kill his then wife.

In a ruling June 3, Judge Joe Satterfield set bond for Lafferty at $750,000 with 12 special conditions.

The bond for each Hicks also is set at $750,000.