BEDFORD – Cheyenne Hill’s aunt, Melinda French, was caught by security using her cell phone to share testimony with another person early this morning during Hill’s trial.
Court Security Officer Ronnie Blackburn caught French calling someone on her cell phone. The person on the other end of the conversation was listening to testimony.
Officer Blackburn alerted Judge John Plummer III, who, outside the jury’s presence, reprimanded French.
Judge Plummer demanded French take the stand and identify herself and who she was talking to.
French, 47, of Mitchell, testified that she had spoken to her teenage daughter earlier, and her daughter must not have hung up the phone. The caller identification on French’s cellphone was ‘Sis.’
Judge Plummer asked French if she saw the numerous signs prohibiting cell phone use in the courtroom. Cell phone use in the courtroom violates state law.
“I frankly don’t believe her testimony,” said Judge Plummer. “She is a relative to the defendant, and she was broadcasting testimony to someone to manipulate the testimony of others on the defendant’s witness list.”
Judge Plummer had a court employee review the video footage of the courtroom and determined French was indeed in a phone conversation with someone.
“I am extremely concerned,” added Judge Plummer. “I don’t know what the remedy is to preserve the integrity of this trial.”
Judge Plummer was concerned because Hill has a constitutional right to a speedy trial and to call witnesses in her defense.
“But we have a relative sitting two rows back from the defendant broadcasting testimony to someone, and at this time, it is unclear who that someone is.”
Hill’s Attorney, Robert Hamilton, agreed to remove Hill’s mother, Michelle Fleenor, and Hill’s sister, Jennifer East, from their witness list.
Michelle Fleenor is Melinda French’s sister.
“I can’t verify who the call was to,” said Hamilton. “If it was to her daughter or her sister.”
Judge Plummer ruled, and the state and defense agreed not to alert the jury to the incident.
“The water is muddy. The more we stir it, the muddier it will get,” added Hamilton.
The incident did not end there. A criminal investigation is in progress, and French could be facing felony charges of obstruction of justice.
Hill, 33, is facing a Level 1 felony charge of child neglect after the death of her daughter, 20-month-old Elliaunna (Elli) M. Plummer. She has pleaded not guilty to the charge.
