Murder Trial Of Michael Bever Delayed

A judge Monday delayed the murder trial of Michael Bever at the request of the prosecution, moving it from June 5 to August 23, 2017.

Prosecutors made the request earlier Monday after defense attorneys told them a doctor would back up the defense's claims that Bever is not guilty of five counts of murder by reason of insanity. He is accused of stabbing his parents and three siblings to death in their Broken Arrow home.

The defense produced a report Monday, May 22, 2017, saying Bever was so under the influence of his older brother Robert that he wasn't able to form "intent" to commit the crimes.

The DA told the judge it needs to have its own expert evaluate Bever and wasn't sure that could be done by the June 5th trial date.

"I ought to have an opportunity to hire an expert and have him evaluate young Mr. Bever like their expert did," said Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler.

Police say the Bever brothers planned out the murders, even ordered ballistic clothing, guns and knives in hopes they might become more famous than other mass killers.

Special Coverage: Bever Family Murders

4/18/2017 Related Story: Workers Demolish The Bever Family Home In Broken Arrow

Police say the brothers planned to chop up their family's bodies and put them in plastic tubs before the brothers drove across the  nation, killing random people.

Authorities also say Michael, who was 16 at the time, even banged on the office and bathroom door, where younger siblings were hiding, and begged to be let in, because he feared he would be killed. Police say when the children opened the doors, they were murdered.

A 2-year-old sister wasn't harmed and a 13-year-old sister survived her stab wounds and will have to testify against her brother at trial.

"I've done plenty of cases involving young children who were victims of crime, and we'll have to go through that. It will be difficult for that young lady," Kunzweiler said.

The DA says he expects the details in this case will be hard even for members of the community to hear.

The older brother, Robert, pleaded guilty to the crimes and is serving five sentences of life without parole.

The judge agreed and set the trial for August 28, 2017.