A quick update about developments in the trial of the accused murderers of Ryan Skipper:
Family and friends of Ryan Skipper gathered on the ninth floor of the Polk County Courthouse at 9 a.m. Monday expecting a plea bargain from William Brown, charged with murdering their gay son two years ago. Brown, however, had changed his mind about pleading guilty to first degree murder.
“We were hopeful,” said Lynn Mulder, Skipper’s [step] father. “We’d like to get this part of it over so the healing can begin.”
In February, Joseph Bearden was convicted of second-degree murder in the stabbing death of Skipper and sentenced to life.
Brown is now scheduled for trial on Oct. 12 — the same month the Mulder’s oldest son is getting married.
And congratulations to Damien Skipper on his upcoming marriage.
