Oldson appears in court for Ord murder trial
by
Katie Gauthier
Story Created:
Feb 6, 2012 at 6:52 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Feb 6, 2012 at 6:52 PM CDT
Ord Cold Case suspect John Oldson returned to his hometown Monday for his first arraignment. Oldson is the main suspect in the 1989 murder of 31 year old Cathy Beard.
He was arrested in Kansas City a few weeks ago. He's being held in Hall County Jail. But, Monday he appeared in Valley County court.
News 5's Katie Gauthier was in Ord when Oldson arrived.
John Oldson pleaded "not guilty" Monday for the murder of Cathy Beard. It's considered a Class One felony meaning he could face the death penalty or life in prison if found guilty.
Shackled, and handcuffed, Oldson stepped foot in his hometown for the first time since his arrest and he didn't have much to say.
"It's a really good feeling, to put this guy where he needs to be," said Sheriff Casey Hurlburt.
Oldson inched past the media and local residents, and into his hometown courtroom.
Oldson pleaded not guilty to the 1989 murder of Cathy Beard.
But, Sheriff Casey Hurlburt knows they have the right man in custody.
"There's no doubt in my mind, when we got the arrest warrant, we were 100 percent positive that we were gonna get a conviction," said former Sheriff Gerald Woodgate.
Former Sheriff Gerald Woodgate was on the case when the murder occurred in 1989.
"I hadn't seen John for quite a few years," said Woodgate.
And Oldson was a main suspect back then.
"There was a lot of feeling in the town that John was involved in this case, way back at that point in time," Woodgate said.
This Class 1 felony normally calls for a one million dollar bond.
But former county attorney, Glen Clark, who was at the forefront of reopening the case in 2008, argued that Oldson was a danger to the community.
"I can't really describe him 'cause he's, he's not like a normal human," said Hurlburt.
"It was always felt that the individual who had done these cruel things to Cathy had either done that prior, or would reoffend later on, so, if that's John, that's some reasons to hold him," said Woodgate.
Oldson will be held without bond.
Clark cited Oldson's immense track record, including threats he made to his own step sister to "kill her and cut a baby out of her stomach."
At the end of the day Valley County has not lost track of their main focus, justice for Cathy Beard.
"This is all for Cathy Beard, justice for Cathy is what everybody's goal is. And, you know that's what we're shooting for and that's what we're gonna get," Hurlburt said.
"It kinda proves that things can, especially murders ya know it just never quits, law enforcement keeps going, we got time on our side," said Woodgate.
Woodgate explains what caused the lag in the case before it went cold, stating that the witnesses were not coming forward as much they are now.
We found out that Oldson is currently married but does not have kids.
He will have a court appointed attorney for his case.
His preliminary hearing is set for March 5th at 1:00 p.m. at the Valley County Courthouse in Ord.
Oldson was driven back to Hall County where he will be held until his hearing.
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