A court hearing for accused killer Kimberly Kessler has been postponed, and we'll have to wait until next week to learn if she's competent to stand trial.
Kessler is charged with the murder of Nassau county mother Joleen Cummings. Cummings, a mother of three, has been missing since last year. Prosecutors believe Cummings is dead, but her body has not been found.
On Thursday in court, the judge called Kimberly Kessler’s case first and it was over just as quickly as it started. They were supposed to be discussing Kessler’s mental health evaluation and a ruling on whether she is competent enough to stand trial, but the case was passed until Tuesday, July 2.
Now, Cummings’ family will have to wait yet another five days for any answers. First Coast News spoke with Joleen’s mom Anne Johnson afterward, and she says she’s angry.
Joleen has been missing for over a year now, and Johnson says the process has been slow, with court date, after court date.
Most people haven’t been through something like this, and Johnson says every time she goes into court, you try to prepare yourself and get to a point where you’re ready to hear how the case unfolds. So, to show up and leave with no answers and no movement on the case makes her angry. She says all she wants is justice for her daughter.
"You go through different stages of grief, that's what I've learned," Johnson said. "At this stage, I'm going through anger. You want answers, you want resolution. It's been over a year and you have one motion after another. I do understand the judicial system to a degree... never have I had to learn it in this realm."
Johnson also says this has taken a toll on Joleen’s three children.
"I think as time goes on," Johnson said, "let's just say time is not very kind."
Johnson asks for continued prayers and says she has received support all the way from Alaska.
Kimberly Kessler is expected to be in court for a hearing on July 2.