Jordan James Lay, 22, of Mason, and Nicholas Alan Mattox, 23, of Trenton, were arrested Feb. 5, a day after 32-year-old Amy Risner of Middletown was found dead at an Anne Road house.
Lay was indicted on charges of murder with a specification that a gun was used in the crime, felonious assault and tampering with evidence. Mattox was indicted on two counts of tampering with evidence, both third-degree felonies. Both were initially charged with aggravated murder by Monroe police.
MORE: Family remembers woman killed in Monroe as kind-hearted mother of 3
“They are going to get used to seeing us,” said Bonnie Risner, aunt of Amy Risner.
She attended the pre-trial hearing with Vickie Risner, also Amy’s aunt. Bonnie Risner wore a black T-shirt with a photo of her niece stating “Justice for Amy.”
Last week, Butler County Common Pleas Judge Greg Howard set bond at $1 million for Lay and $10,000 for Mattox, who is now facing lesser charges.
Mattox, who is free on bond and wearing a GPS monitor, appeared in court on Wednesday with attorney David Washington. The case was continued for two weeks while discovery is shared with the defense.
MORE: Court docs: Monroe house where woman was found dead target of drug investigation
Assistant Butler County Prosecutor Brad Burress indicated there is “quite a bit” of evidence in the case.
Lay, who remains in the Butler County Jail, also appeared for a pretrial hearing with his attorney Darrin Nye. Both men waived their right to a speedy trial and are scheduled to be back in court March 18.
Court records filed in Butler County Area II court said Lay confessed to killing Risner, a mother of three sons.
Police were called shortly before 4 p.m. Feb. 4 on a report of an unresponsive person. Risner was pronounced dead at the scene, and her death was ruled a homicide by the Butler County Coroner’s Office.
In an application for a warrant to search the house, police said Risner suffered a gunshot wound to the head.
The house and Risner had been the subjects of a drug investigation by the Warren County Drug Task Force for months before the homicide, according to court documents.
MORE: Middletown hospital fire caused by transformer issue on roof
About the Author