Michael Crane -- who's facing first-degree murder charges for the deaths of Paradise Valley couple Glenna and Lawrence Shapiro, as well as Phoenix man Bruce Gaudet -- "refused" to be transported to his court date today, according to a Maricopa County Superior Court spokesman.
Crane was scheduled to be in court today for his arraignment, but he didn't quite make it over from the jailhouse to the courthouse.
Click here for details on the case.
Crane's facing the most charges of the seven suspects believed to have been involved at both the Shapiro and Gaudet crime scenes, as he has three counts of first-degree murder, three counts of kidnapping, six counts related to arson, two counts of burglary, one count of armed robbery, and one count of theft of a means of transportation to deal with in the days ahead.
According to Superior Court spokesman Vincent Funari, Crane's going to get a little assistance showing up to his rescheduled arraignment.
"Commissioner Brian Rees ordered Crane to be transported by MCSO to his next court date 'by any reasonable means necessary,'" Funari says.
Maricopa County Sheriff's Office spokesman Jeff Sprong tells New Times his office was "just told he refused and no reason given."
Crane's new arraignment date is set for Monday -- and he'll probably have to show up to that one.
His girlfriend, on the other hand -- Brittnay Beinhauer -- successfully made it to court today and pleaded not guilty to the several charges she's facing. Kelly Steward, another co-defendant, also pleaded not guilty to her charges.
One other person is facing a first-degree murder charge in the case, but his or her name has not yet been released "pending service of charges," and the Maricopa County Attorney's Office won't confirm her identity until those charges are served.
