JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. — In a courtroom filled with palpable tension, 45-year-old William Carl Frombach, Jr. faced his initial arraignment on severe criminal charges related to a violent incident last week in Central Point that left one man dead and a woman gravely injured. Yet, in a brief hearing on Tuesday, the Jackson County Circuit Court opted to postpone Frombach’s arraignment until December 12, 2024, at the request of his newly assigned public defender. The accused is being held without bail as the community processes what authorities describe as a tragic and senseless act of violence.
Frombach faces multiple felony charges, including one count each of murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault, animal abuse, and possession of a firearm by a felon. The Jackson County District Attorney’s office has alleged that last Friday, Frombach fatally shot Devery Allen Bynam and attempted to kill Elizabeth Hadley in a sequence of events that has since shaken residents in this quiet region.
The courtroom remained somber as Judge Paul Moser assigned a public defender to Frombach’s case, with the public defender’s office quickly requesting a continuance to prepare an adequate defense. Judge Moser granted the extension without objections from the District Attorney’s office. As of today’s hearing, Frombach has not entered any pleas regarding the charges, and the Court declined to set bail, citing the seriousness of the allegations.
This violent crime has left many residents deeply unsettled. Community leaders have emphasized the loss, calling it yet another tragic example of the impact senseless acts of violence have on families, friends, and the broader community. Neighbors and local advocates are expressing sorrow over the lives disrupted, with many saying the alleged actions underscore the critical need for continued support systems and awareness efforts around mental health and gun violence prevention.
“This is not just a case in the legal sense; it’s a reminder of the unfortunate reality that violence disrupts entire communities,” one local advocate commented. “We’ve lost someone beloved, and another individual is fighting for her life, all because of choices we may never fully understand.”
District Attorney officials say that on December 12, Frombach is expected to formally enter a plea to each of the charges. Until then, he remains held at the Jackson County Jail without bond as investigators continue to examine evidence related to the incident.
As the legal process unfolds, residents hope this case will prompt reflection on the impact of violence and spur action to prevent future tragedies.
