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ALPENA -- Devin Matthews, 23, appeared in the 26th Circuit Court in Alpena on Monday for a status conference, Circuit Court Judge Ed Black presiding. Matthews is charged with two counts of Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) causing death and one count of OWI causing serious injury, charges relating to a fatal car crash which caused two deaths in Alpena in 2024.
Matthews was bound over to the circuit court in September. Matthews first appeared in court in April and his preliminary examination was concluded in June.
District Court Judge Alan Curtis dropped seven of Matthews' 10 felony charges (two counts of second degree murder, two counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) causing death, and one count reckless driving causing serious impairment of a body function) due to evidence not supporting all elements of those charges, therefore not establishing probable cause.
On Monday, Defense Attorney John Freeman asked Black for more time before his client's next status conference to prepare.
"More time would be helpful to pursue a resolution," Freeman said.
Freeman added that he has been in communication with Alpena County Prosecutor Cynthia Muszynski regarding this case and that both parties would benefit from more time.
Muszynski agreed and said that she does not anticipate any motions to be heard by the court at that time.
Black noted the timeline of the case, stressing that the case continued to move forward in a timely manner since there had already been two separate days of preliminary examination and an additional day for oral arguments.
Black set Matthews' next court hearing for Dec. 7.
Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.