MARICOPA COUNTY, AZ — The six remaining defendants accused of the murder of Preston Lord were due back in court on Wednesday, November 12. This was originally the deadline to file to sever, or separate, the defendants' cases. It's also one of the few remaining court dates before the current Jan. 12, 2026, trial date.
In the days and weeks before court, several defendants filed requests for an extension to the severance deadline. Those included counsel for Talyn Vigil, Treston Billey, and Talan Renner.
Vigil and Renner's defense teams both requested a two-week extension. Court documents say the Judge is granting at least Vigil until Jan. 7, 2026, to file. It's unclear if that date will apply to the other defendants as well.
Renner also filed a request to appear virtually for Wednesday's court date.
"As this court is aware, this case has received a large amount of media attention that has increased civilian and media presence in the courtroom, subsequently raising safety concerns," his attorneys said in their filing.
The six defendants are all charged with felony murder and kidnapping.
At last check, all but one defendant has bonded out of custody. Jacob Meisner is the only person who remains in the custody of the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.
INSIDE COURT
Four of the six remaining defendants appeared in court Wednesday.
Meisner had his appearance waived and Renner was given permission to appear virtually.
"Largely the belief of the parties that the current trial date is not viable," said Judge Sam Myers in court Wednesday.
He said they would address those concerns on January 6, 2026 at the pre-trial conference, which is scheduled less than a week before the current trial date.
"The record should reflect that the state has agreed to extend the motion to sever deadline to November 26, 2025," said Judge Myers as well.
The Judge later said this would apply to all the defendants.
In court, Preston's parents and other family members who continue to show up for each and every hearing.
"It's all for Preston, to live like Preston," said the teen's grandpa Tony Reich. "It's very simple."
He says that's what keeps him moving forward.
Another focus of the family is a new law named in Preston's honor, which targets swarming attacks.
It has already been used to charge suspects like in a recent group assault on ASU's campus.
"Its going to be a long road to go yet, strides have been made in the Preston legacy," said Reich. "Preston’s law and seeing it being used now is really special to us. I would like to see Preston’s law go national."
He said they have reached out to a U.S. Congressman hoping to partner with their office on the push.
TALYN VIGIL IN COURT HOURS BEFORE
Talyn Vigil was in court and out of custody on Wednesday morning, but ABC15 has learned this was hours after the teen defendant was back in jail.
Court records show his bondsmen surrendered him to the intake facility on the evening of Nov. 11.
This all comes after Vigil was arrested in Gilbert for allegedly violating an order of protection back in September.
ABC15 was there as he went to municipal court last month.
Our team has reached out to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, the County Sheriff's Office, County Superior Court, Gilbert Police, and the bail bond company to get more information.
At this time, we are still waiting to learn what's next and the reasoning behind the surrender.
