DEARBORN — The preliminary hearing of Lavere Bryant, who is accused of the murder of two Family Dollar store employees in Dearborn, was postponed this week until August 21, upon his state-appointed attorney’s request.

Judge Sam Salamey of the 19th District Court ordered the postponement of the hearing on Wednesday, July 31, after Bryant’s attorney, Robert Kinney, explained that he has 1,200 pages of evidence from the police that he needs to review first.

Wednesday’s court session began more than two hours after its scheduled time, because Bryant was initially taken to the wrong courtroom from the Wayne County Jail.  

Joseph Orlando, 20, was fatally shot at a Family Dollar store in Dearborn on July 15. His coworker, Brenna Machus, 20, was abducted and killed later. Her body was found in a wooded area, near the Southfield Freeway service drive by Michigan Avenue, three days later.

Cynthia Konkel holding her son’s picture in the courtroom.

Bryant was an assistant manager at a Family Dollar store in Dearborn Heights, before he was fired over complaints of sexual harassment this past year.

Orlando’s mother, Cynthia Konkel, held her son’s picture, for the second time, during the court hearing.

“I want Lavere to see my son’s face every time he steps into a courtroom,” she said.

Konkel added that she does not hold Family Dollar at fault for hiring Bryant, who had a criminal history, and does not know if her late son knew him.

“I just want this over with,” she added. “I want my son to lay to rest.”

Lauren Hodges, Bryant’s fiancé’s cousin, said that the suspect had recently landed a job at a plant in Wyandotte.

“Lavere cares about everybody. He is nowhere near the monster they are portraying him to be,” she added. “I believe in his innocence.”

She said that Bryant has a 1-year-old child with her cousin and they were supposed to get married in March of next year.

Bryant’s aunt, Angela Johnson, described him as a caring man, who was trying to do what is right.

“I can’t see him doing this,” she said.

Bryant spent 10 years in jail for assault, causing severe bodily harm, and has an additional prior conviction of sexual assault. However, Johnson maintains that he is not a violent person, and he was defending himself in the incident that led to his lengthy stay in jail.

Konkel said she will not comment on Bryant’s guilt. 

“I will leave that to the court,” she said.