Mortimer Hearing Postponed

The Thomas Mortimer, IV, motion hearing that wasoriginally scheduled for Thursday will be continued to Dec. 21.

According to the District Attorney's office, Mortimer's defense attorney, Denise Regan, asked for a continuance regarding the hearing, which will revolve around Mortimer's finances

"I'd like additional time to determine the amount of money and how to access it," Regan said at Mortimer's last hearing. "I need additional time to look at the history, as long as it's within the scope of my duties. I may be able to access the funds, I may not."

Mortimer's financial history came into question during a when Judge Julia Kern learned that Mortimer had more than the $2,000 he had previously told the court.

Judge Kern found out that Mortimer informed the probation officer of a joint account he had with his wife, Laura Stone Mortimer for $11,000. He also owns two cars, one of which is a Toyota Highlander and he has his children's college savings account worth $25,000.

There were also two lawyers from the Attorney General's office observing the trial. The two men refused comment on the trial and explained that they were there strictly to observe the proceedings and that they were not a party in the case. They refused to identify themselves.

The Attorney General's office is involved because there is an issue as to whether or not Mortimer can pay his counsel. And since the Attorney General's office represents the Commonwealth they need to see if Mortimer is able to pay the required $40,000 amount to the state.

The problem is, when Mortimer explained his financial situation he told the court that he had a number of bank accounts, along with his child's college found and a few cars. But none of those assets are in his name. Regan now needs to go to a probate lawyer to see if it's plausible for Mortimer to get those assets.

Regan wanted to make sure though, that whatever happens, Mortimer will still maintain his lawyer.

"I want to protect his counsel," Regan said. "He's entitled to it. I don't want his counsel to be stricken."

Until the next hearing, Judge Haggerty put a hold on those accounts, as to ensure that they remain in tact.

Mortimer is on trial for murdering his wife, 41-year-old Laura Stone Mortimer, her two children, 2-year-old Charlotte Mortimer and 4-year-old Thomas Mortimer V, and Laura's mother, 64-year-old Ragna Ellen Stone, change.

After the hearing on Dec. 21, the two sides meet again on Jan. 11 for a non-evidentiary hearing. The hearing on Jan. 11 is not a trial, but instead, the two attorneys will go in front of a judge and discuss the matters of the case.