The man accused of murdering an Auxvasse man and his daughter last September waived his preliminary hearing Friday afternoon in Callaway County Associate Circuit Court.
Ryan Christopher Coari of Mexico, Mo., appeared in court before Judge Carol England. With Coari was his court-appointed public defender Mary Jo Smith. She asked the court to waive the preliminary hearing in behalf of her client.
Coari was in the courtroom for about two minutes amid tight security. The courtroom was locked down until after Coari left the courthouse.
Coari's next court action will be on April 2 before Circuit Judge Gary M. Oxenhandler. At that time, the judge will discuss a trial date with prosecution and defense attorneys.
Coari, 29, and his wife, Jacie Kollene Gagala Coari, 28, both pleaded not guilty at their separate arraignments on Oct. 28, 2011.
Coari faces two counts of first degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action and second-degree arson. Jacie also waived her preliminary hearing earlier. She is charged with two counts of second-degree murder and first-degree robbery.