Court exam adjourned after witness, defendant found together in livestream

A virtual St. Joseph County District Court preliminary examination was interrupted Tuesday, after the defendant was found to be at the same home as the alleged victim while the hearing took place.

Coby James Harris, 21, had gone before the court, accused of assault with intent to commit bodily harm less than murder, stemming from an incident Feb. 9 in Sturgis.

Mary Lindsey, who appeared in the court livestream as the reported victim, said the assault stemmed from a brief argument at a residence in Sturgis. According to Lindsey, she and Harris had been dating at the time.

About seven minutes into the proceeding, Deborah Davis, assistant to the prosecuting attorney and representing Lindsey, said she believed Lindsey and Harris were in close proximity during the livestream, based on Lindsey’s answers and body language.

“Your Honor … I have reason to believe that the defendant is in the same apartment as the complaining witness right now, and I am extremely scared for her safety,” Davis said. “The fact that she’s looking off to the side and he’s moving around, I want some confirmation that she is safe before we continue."

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