The Vermont man accused of kidnapping 12-year-old Brooke Bennett has waived a preliminary hearing at which an FBI agent was expected to testify.
In a last-minute move yesterday, 42-year-old Michael Jacques opted not to go forward with the hearing, in which evidence would have been presented.
Jacques, a registered sex offender, is accused of kidnapping his niece, who disappeared June 25 and was found dead a week later.
Public defender Michael Desautels’ a one-sentence notice to the court did not explain his client’s decision. Desautels did not immediately return a call seeking comment.