Katelyn Markham murder case: $1M bond for fiancé, writing revealed in court
CORRECTION: John Carter's attorney said in court Monday he has every reason to believe a fee agreement (for his legal services) would be in place by week's end. An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated the type of deal he discussed in court.
FAIRFIELD, Ohio - Bond was set at $1 million Monday for John Carter, Katelyn Markham’s fiancé who is under indictment on two murder charges in her 2011 slaying.
Carter’s attorney, Christopher Pagan, pleaded not guilty on his behalf during his first appearance before Butler County Common Pleas Court Judge Daniel Haughey.
More:Fiance indicted on murder charge in death of Katelyn Markham
The case will return to court on Tuesday, April 4, for a pretrial hearing.
“The case is really strong. We really have a great case,” Butler County Prosecutor Mike Gmoser told the judge as he asked for the $1 million bond. “I thank the defense for giving me the opportunity to show what they are getting into.”
The prosecutor revealed some key new details in court:
A forensic anthropology report shows there were sharp, blunt-force trauma wounds to Katelyn’s wrist bone.
The report also indicates her remains were found in a location different than where they originally were dumped.
Prosecutors found and have copies of what Gmoser says are writings, some with Carter’s name on them, in a binder found when authorities recently searched his mother’s house where he was living at the time Katelyn vanished.
Gmoser then read some of the chilling writings aloud in court.
He said they show the “conflict and demon within” between Carter and himself.
• “Deep down, I love her. You ought to kill her. But I love her. She must die. I can’t kill her. Yes, you can. No. Yes. How do you talk me into all these things? I’m just that good. But you’re bad. I know. How do I kill you? You can’t. You’re right. About what? Nothing.”
• “I slit your wrists with the key to your heart.”
Katelyn Markham’s father was in court during the arraignment.
So was John Carter’s mother.
Both declined to comment.
Carter is returning to the Butler County Jail where he's been since his arrest Wednesday.
Carter was taken into custody just before 4 p.m. as he taught a class at Neusole Glassworks on Kemper Springs Drive according to Forest Park police. He’s worked there for years, FOX19 NOW has confirmed.
A Butler County grand jury secretly indicted Carter on March 13 with two counts of murder for Katelyn’s death, court records show.
Judge Haughey ordered the indictment unsealed the morning after his arrest.
The indictmentaccuses Carter of “purposely” causing Katelyn’s death in Butler County on or about Aug. 13, 2011, through Aug. 14, 2011.
The second murder count alleges he caused her death on the same dates “as a proximate result” of committing or attempting to commit, a violent felony offense (felonious assault).
Carter was the last person to see Katelyn alive at her apartment on Aug. 13, 2011, and called 911 to report her disappearance, according to Fairfield police.
He told the call taker the couple planned to move out of state in October to Colorado but delayed the move until November.
“We could have pushed the date back a year and it would not have mattered,” he said during the 911 call, according to a recording released to FOX19 NOW. "I didn’t want to make her do anything she didn’t want to do, and she did not feel like she was being forced into anything.”
When asked what he meant by “forced,” Carter responded, “just going to Colorado, the marriage, the whole thing. It was entirely up to her.”
He also said during the 911 call, “a Sacred Heart Festival is going on right up the street, and there are a lot of questionable people there.”
Katelyn’s disappearance and unsolved homicide case have made national news for years.
Her remains were found on April 7, 2013, at Big Cedar Creek in southeastern Indiana’s Cedar Grove. A couple looking for scrap metal spotted a human jaw in a plastic grocery bag.
Carter immediately asked to be kept away from other inmates when he was booked into the jail, Sheriff Richard Jones told FOX19 NOW.
The jail granted his request for what’s called “Protective Custody” or “PC,” the sheriff said.
It's for a small group of inmates who don’t want to be with the general prison population because they fear for their safety, he said.
Inmates in “PC” are monitored 24 hours a day but are not on suicide watch.
Carter is held in a cell by himself and can remain isolated as long as he wants, the sheriff said.
Carter’s arrest didn’t shock Katelyn Markham’s father, Dave Markham, who says he suspected him all along.
Carter’s mother released a statement last week declaring her son is “definitely not guilty.”
Carter is the second person arrested in this investigation.
Jonathan Palmerton of Fairfield was arrested on a perjury charge last month. He’s accused of lying to investigators, according to his indictment.
A judge set his bond at $50,000.
Palmerton was due in court the day after Carter’s arrest last week to enter a plea or to receive a trial date.
That was canceled, however.
His attorney requested and received a delay until April 20, court record show.
Enquirer media partner provided this report.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Katelyn Markham killing: $1M bond for fiancé, writing revealed
