Hearing Delayed for Foster Mother of Allison Newman

Carol Poole Accused of Murder

Liz Copeland  

Canton, MI - The hearing of Carol Poole, the foster mother charged with murder, was set to go today but prosecutors asked for an adjournment of her preliminary exam.

According to prosecutors, the Washtenaw County coroner hadn't yet filled out a complete autopsy report, so the exam couldn't occur.Hearing Delayed for Foster Mother of Allison Newman

Judge John MacDonald, of Plymouth, gave coroners a November 27th deadline to submit the report so the exam can proceed.

The hearing is adjourned until December 11th.

Though Poole lives in Wayne County, and that is where the alleged injury occured, Allison Newman didn't die until 14 hours later, at Mott Chidlren's Hospital in Ann Arbor, which is in Washtenaw County. Therefore, Washtenaw County Medical Examiners were required to do the autopsy, in which her death was ruled a homicide.

Allison Newman was allegedly beaten to death on September 22nd. Mrs. Poole called police when she was found unresponsive. Her husband was on a business trip at the time and there were no other people in the home.

Her Defense attorney, Mark Satawa, expressed disappointment that the hearing was adjourned. He appears confident that Mrs. Poole will not be found guilty in the death of Allison Newan.

The head of the daycare where Allison spent her days was also charged in the Allison Newman case with failure to report abuse or neglect, after a worker there testified that she had, on at least one occasion, brought Allison's injuries to the attention of the director, who failed to call it in.

Mrs. Poole allegedly cried during the hearing. Mr. Poole declined to comment on today's adjournment.