Family members of late country music legend Johnny Cash said they’re outraged in the homicide case of Cash’s great niece, Courtney.
Courtney was found murdered in her Baxter home in Putnam County in 2014.
Now, her family has been speaking out about a major decision that will impact the case against Wayne Mascieralla, the man who authorities said killed Courtney.
Late Friday afternoon, Courtney's family reached out to NewsChannel 5.
They said they’re upset and enraged about a judge’s ruling Thursday to not throw Putnam County prosecutors off of their daughter's case.
They released the following statement Friday:
"The news broadcast that aired last night regarding the court hearing in Putnam County for the defense motion to remove the 13th Judicial District Attorney and staff from the trial of Wayne Mascieralla may have left some viewers with a misleading impression. The family of Courtney Cash in attendance at the hearing were actually devastated by the judge's decision to deny the motion. We have absolutely no confidence that the current DA and staff have conducted an honest and thorough investigation of the circumstances surrounding her death. Courtney and her family deserve justice. No more and no less."
Details surrounding Courtney’s death, however, have been scarce and at times contradictory.
Defense attorneys for Mascieralla asked to have prosecutors thrown off for what they believe was a conflict of interest, but the judge did not agree.
Now this case will go forward to a jury with the current DA prosecuting the case.
Mascieralla’s trial has been set to begin on August 1.
