The owners of the Return to Nature Funeral Home waived their appearances in state court at a hearing Friday that offered little new information but did set the table for a another hearing to go over the possibility of mental condition evidence being introduced in Carie Hallford’s case. Jon and Carie Hallford came under federal and state investigation in October 2023 when their Penrose funeral home location southwest of Colorado Springs had a reported “foul order,” leading to a search warrant that turned up nearly 190 decomposing bodies. It was a quiet courtroom Friday as both defendants waived their right to appear for court. It was primarily a logistical hearing going over tentative details for the trials, specifically that of Jon Hallford. Jon Hallford’s trial is scheduled to begin Feb. 9 and wrap up by April 10, with the court taking Fridays off to handle other caseload responsibilities. A notable detail announced Friday in court was that the prosecution is likely to call nearly 200 family members of those whose remains were discovered. They will be asked to testify about the condition of the bodies when taken by the Hallfords, and about their conversations with the Hallfords. In Carie Hallford’s case, Judge Eric Bentley set a hearing in March at which point he will rule on a motion filed by the defense about the admission of mental condition evidence. The defense did not indicate that Carie Hallford would be entering a different plea, such as a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity. The Hallfords face more than 190 state charges related to the case. Carie Hallford’s trial is set for October 2026. Carie Hallford was scheduled to be in a Denver courtroom earlier this month for her federal sentencing after she pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, but the hearing was pushed to March. Jon Hallford was already sentenced in June to 20 years in federal prison for the same charge, but has since appealed the ruling. The couple initially pleaded guilty in their state case, but an El Paso County judge threw out the plea agreements after hearing argument from victims in the case. Carie filed for divorce from Jon in August. ...read more read less