KALAMAZOO, Mich. (AP) — A man charged with second-degree murder in the deaths of five bicyclists in southwestern Michigan has made his first court appearance.
Charles Pickett Jr. heard the charges Friday via video from jail, three days after a group of bicyclists was mowed down by a pickup truck in Kalamazoo County’s Cooper Township.
Judge Richard Santoni refused to set a bond, saying Pickett is a “danger to the community” and might flee.
Pickett will have a court-appointed attorney unless he decides to hire his own. He says he’s unemployed and takes care of his father in the Battle Creek area.
Besides the five deaths, four bicyclists were injured. One was in serious condition while the other three were fair or good Friday.