JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Elliot Graham, 49, appeared in court Tuesday morning. The Jacksonville funeral director is accused of fraudulent insurance claims and grand theft. Graham was arrested in early February. Graham's attorney Tuesday requested a pre-trial, filed a motion to reduce his bond and release him from jail. Graham's charges also include grand and petty theft. The 49-year-old is not charged with improperly preserving human bodies. Those charges were dropped in late February.
While the prosecution said they have 11 witnesses, Graham maintains he is not guilty. During the hearing, Graham's friend of 40 years appeared as a virtual witness. His friend spoke of the defendant's character; the defense team hoped it would help in the efforts to reduce Graham's bond. The friend said Graham traveled to Orlando to see him and eventually turned himself in at the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
"Did he indicate to you why he chose to drove to Orlando instead of turning himself in Jacksonville?" The prosecution asked.
"We talked briefly and he said that he wanted to meet with myself and his son just so that we could take care of any matters that would be at hand while he was in jail," Graham's friend said.
Moving forward, the plan is to return to the courtroom, on Thursday afternoon. It would be for a bond hearing. The prosecution and defense will then review witnesses and documents for discovery on April 4.
