Muir couple who obstructed investigation remain in jail – WOWO News/Talk 92.3 FM, 1190 AM, 107.5 FM & 97.3 HD2

LOGANSPORT, Indiana (NETWORK INDIANA) – Daniel and Kristen Muir remain in prison for now.

The two are charged with obstruction of justice and domestic violence in connection with the disappearance of their son, Bryson, late last month. He was found two weeks later on their Logansport property.

When the Muirs were brought to court after their arrest, the District Court judge denied them bail because he considered them flight risks. The reason for this was that the Muirs were accused of hiding their son from law enforcement, as they had shown little cooperation with the Indiana State Police in their search for him.

However, the Muirs’ lawyers claim that their clients’ constitutional rights are being violated.

“You have a right to bail in Indiana for any crime that is not murder or treason,” said defense attorney Nathan Vining. “That’s all we’re asking for here, the right to bail.”

Beining and fellow attorney Bryan Coulter filed a habeas corpus petition seeking an emergency hearing, which was held Thursday, to finally get bail for their clients. They requested a hearing in Cass County Superior Court instead of the circuit court where the case is being heard.

Coulter said they did so because the district court judge presiding over the case was on vacation.

The Superior Court judge who heard the case on Thursday did not grant bail, arguing that she did not have jurisdiction to hear a case in Circuit Court at this time.

“We respectfully disagree with the court’s opinion that it has no jurisdiction in this matter,” Coulter said. “We believe that the law allows any district court or superior court in the county to hear a habeas corpus petition.”

“The defense attorneys had their strategy and did what they thought was right, but the judge made the right decision today,” said Cass County Prosecutor Noah Schafer. “I look forward to having a hearing in District Court shortly. If bail is the right thing to do, then I’m sure the judge will set bail.”

Daniel Muir is a former player for the Indianapolis Colts. He and his wife Kristen are considered leaders of a religious group called the Servant Leader’s Foundation. Bryson was discovered on a property affiliated with this religious sect and the Muirs were arrested.