On Tuesday, April 22, 2025, KFDA reported that Tad Cullum, a defendant in a high-profile murder case, filed a motion to appeal the denial of a request to recuse Judge Jon K. Parsley from presiding over his trial. The appeal comes after Judge Parsley rejected a prior motion citing concerns of bias and impropriety due to his previous legal representation of co-defendant Tifany Adams in a civil matter.
The case involves the murders of Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley, whose remains were discovered in a freezer in April 2024. The disturbing nature of the case has attracted significant media attention, and the proceedings have been closely followed by the public.
Cullum’s legal team argued that Judge Parsley’s past representation of Adams, who is also facing charges related to the murders, creates a potential conflict of interest. They contend that this situation raises legitimate concerns regarding the judge’s impartiality. Cullum’s attorneys stated that the court’s actions might give an appearance of impropriety, despite the judge asserting that he has no actual bias against Cullum.
In a court hearing held on April 16, Judge Parsley maintained that there was insufficient evidence to support claims of prejudice or bias in the case. He emphasized that the allegations did not warrant recusal under the relevant legal standards. The judge’s ruling was based on his interpretation of the facts and applicable legal precedents.
Cullum’s attorneys expressed their intention to seek a re-hearing from the Presiding Judge of the administrative district. They argued that if Judge Parsley were to continue overseeing the case without addressing the recusal issue, it would undermine Cullum’s right to a fair trial as guaranteed by the 14th Amendment.
In addition to the recusal matter, the district attorney in Texas County has recently filed an application for consumptive testing of evidence related to the murders. The defendants have been given a 15-day window to respond to this application. Tifany Adams, through her counsel, has requested that an independent expert be present during the testing or that the process be recorded to ensure transparency.
The upcoming court appearance on May 14 will address the consumptive testing of evidence, which is critical for the defense teams as they prepare for trial. The defendants, including Cullum and Adams, are facing serious charges that include kidnapping and murder.
Source: KFDA
