Heather Mack's alleged co-conspirator in 'Bali suitcase murder' denied release; trial delayed
Tommy Schaefer, then-boyfriend of Mack, accused of conspiring to kill her mother, socialite Sheila von Wiese-Mack, in 2014
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Tommy Schaefer will remain in federal custody after a judge denied a request for his release pending trial and postponed the start of the case until March in a downtown Chicago courtroom Thursday.
The ruling came during a hearing requested by Schaefer's attorney, who argued that Schaefer should be released because of medical problems that he said are not being adequately treated while Schaefer is being held.
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Schaefer is the former boyfriend and alleged co-conspirator of Heather Mack, who pleaded guilty two and a half years ago to conspiring to kill her mother, socialite Sheila von Wiese-Mack, in 2014. The case became known as the "Bali suitcase murder," and prosecutors alleged money was the motive.
In court, Schaefer's attorney said his client suffers from a heart condition that may be linked to symptoms of long COVID and tuberculosis, illnesses he said Schaefer contracted while serving an 11-year prison sentence in Indonesia.
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Schaefer was deported to the United States in February after completing that sentence.
After the hearing, Schaefer's mother, Kia Walker, criticized his medical treatment while in custody.
"The court has a responsibility. If they know that my son is dying, there is absolutely no excuse. You can't demand the MCC follow through with medical treatments," Walker said.
Walker declined to say why she believes her son is dying.
The hearing also resulted in a delay of Schaefer's trial. Originally scheduled to begin in January, it has been pushed back to March 15 at the request of his attorney, who told the court he needed additional time to prepare.
