MEDFORD, Ore. — The Southern Oregon man accused of killing his wife and four kids last month and setting their home on fire was arraigned on aggravated murder charges Friday, but did not enter a plea.
Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Lorenzo Mejia gave defense attorney Geoff Gokey until Sept. 22 to review the evidence before a plea is entered.
Given the seriousness of the case — aggravated murder carries a potential death penalty or life in prison without parole — Chief Deputy District Attorney Beth Heckert said she expects Jordan Adam Criado to plead not guilty.
Criado has been accused of stabbing his wife, Tabasha Paige-Criado, 30, and two of the children and setting their small single-story house on fire in Medford on July 18.
The 51-year-old Criado was pulled from the burning house with his wife and children and spent nearly three weeks unconscious in a hospital after suffering smoke inhalation. He was eventually released to police, who immediately arrested him. He remains in jail without bail.
Family and friends have said Paige-Criado wanted a divorce. Active in social networking, Paige-Criado made it clear on Facebook in recent months that she loved her children and no longer wanted to be with her husband.
The night before the slayings, police said she stayed out all night, and Criado reported her missing.
Appearing by video feed from the jail, Criado said nothing and avoided looking into the camera.
Unlike his court appearance last week, when he was in a wheelchair, Criado walked under his own power to take a chair before the video camera. Dressed in a dark sleeveless jail pullover and pants, his long hair uncombed and tied in the back, he kept his eyes on the floor as he sat next to defense attorney Duane McCabe.
The indictment lists 24 counts of aggravated murder. Twenty of them are based on multiple victims. Four are based on victims under the age of 14 — Elijah, 7; Isaac, 6, Andrew, 5, and Aurora, 2.
Criado was also indicted on four counts of felony murder, related to four counts of arson, and four counts of manslaughter.