Franklin murder hearing continued because witness remains hospitalized

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White grabbed a kitchen knife and came toward Nicole Checkawitz, 39, on Aug. 27, while she and Hall were renovating her home on Rooks Lane, she said.

Days after the stabbing, for an unknown reason, Checkawitz was hospitalized, according to prosecutors.

Prosecutor Steve Runge told Franklin Judge Rupert Ruppert that he was notified Tuesday that Checkawitz, 39, was still in the hospital.

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White’s public defender, Cynthia Brandenburg, objected to the case being continued.

However, Ruppert agreed with the prosecutor and said Checkawitz probably was hospitalized due to the “actions” of the defendant.

Ruppert said there was “justification” to continue the preliminary hearing, which has been re-set for 5 p.m. Sept. 19.

White’s bond remains at $500,000.