Three suspects who have been charged in the stabbing death of a St. Joseph man made their first court appearance Friday.

44-year-old Kellie M. Hoard (Reeves), 23-year-old Primalton Peterson III, and 25-year-old Sean A. Liechti are each charged with second-degree felony murder in connection with the murder of 28-year-old Richard Berry.

Court documents show bond has been denied for each of the defendants.  An attorney for Mr Peterson filed a motion to set bond.

Hoard and Peterson said they would apply for a public defender.

As we previously reported, a probable cause statement signed by Lt. Shawn Collie with the Buchanan County Sherriff’s Dept. said statements from the defendants, informant’s information and phone records led to the development of evidence to believe that on Saturday April 25 between noon and 10:44 p.m. Hoard, Liechti and Peterson drove Berry to the area of the 10000 block of SE Saxton Road with the intent to rob him of money and/or drugs and assault him.

“Once on the bridge Defendant Liechti and Defendant Peterson III pushed the victim to the ground and held him down.  Defendant Hoard then began stabbing the victim with a knife,” the statement said.  “Defendant Peterson III then handed Defendant Hoard a second knife and Defendant Hoard continued to stab the victim multiple times.”

Afterwards Liechti and Peterson allegedly picked him up and threw his body over the side of the bridge into the river.

A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for all three of the defendants.

Hoard and Peterson are scheduled to appear in front of Judge Keith Marquart at 3 p.m on May 28.   Liechti will appear in front of Judge Rebecca Spencer May 28 at 4 p.m.