During a hearing in Warren County Common Pleas Court, Oda told Kirby and his lawyer John Kaspar that he would not be issuing a no-contact order, as sought by prosecutors, and suggested he communicate this to officials at the jail in Lebanon.
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Kirby, 38, is held on charges of aggravated murder, aggravated robbery, murder, attempted murder, felonious assault, grand theft and tampering with evidence in connection with the beating death of his sister and severe beating of her husband.
If convicted, Kirby could face the death penalty.
His adoptive sister, Debrah Power, 63, of South Lebanon, was pronounced dead from head injuries Sept. 15 at her home in South Lebanon. Her husband, Ronnie Power, was badly beaten in the attack and remained in serious condition, according to authorities.
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Kirby’s wife, Jacqueline, 30, is charged with tampering with evidence, receiving stolen property and misuse of credit cards in the case. She is next scheduled to appear before Oda on Dec. 4.
The four people involved in the case shared a house in South Lebanon.
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“Jacqueline stated during her interview, they used Mr. Power’s cell phone to contact drug dealers. She said they were trying to sell a television they’d taken from the residence,” an investigator alleged in a search-warrant affidavit.
The tampering with evidence charges stem from the Kirbys’ alleged disposal of the cell phone and Debra Power’s purse on Interstate 75, where they were arrested.
Christopher Kirby remained in the county jail without bond. Jacqueline Kirby’s bond has been reduced from $250,000 to $20,000, but she also remained in jail.
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