Anthony and Marsha Springer, the father and adoptive mother of 16-year-old Calista Springer, have been arraigned on homicide and child abuse charges in connection with the death of the teenager early this year.

Judge William Welty presided at the arraignment in 3-B District Court in Centreville Monday morning (December 15th).

Both are charged with one count of manslaughter and one count of first degree child abuse.

Marsha Springer appeared first with her attorney, Victor Bland, who said he and his client would waive the right to a preliminary examination on the charges within 14 days.  In keeping with that decision and the attorney’s request for additional time to prepare, Welty set a pre-exam conference for January 13th at 1 p.m. and the preliminary examination for January 15th at 8:45 a.m.

Marsha Springer listens as her attorney, Victor Bland, addresses Judge William Welty during her arraignment in 3-B District Court in Centreville on Monday.

Bland said there is “no threat whatsoever” that Marsha Springer would leave the community, noting that she is blind, a lifelong resident of the area, appeared on her own for the arraignment, and has been cooperating with the Probate Court in a companion case regarding her other children.  He said, “I don’t believe she presents a risk of harm to the community” and suggested that “a personal recognizance bond would be appropriate.”

Welty said he hadn’t heard anything contrary from the Prosecutor’s Office relative to Marsha Springer, noted the proceedings underway with the Family Division, and granted a $10,000 personal recognizance bond.

In similar fashion, the arraignment for Anthony Springer yielded a pre-exam conference date of December 23rd at 1 p.m., a preliminary examination date of December 26th at 8:45 a.m., and a $10,000 personal recognizance bond.

Anthony Springer during arraignment proceedings Monday.

Since Anthony Springer hadn’t secured an attorney to represent him, Welty designated Thomas Robertson of Sturgis to serve as his court-appointed legal counsel.  In so doing, Welty said Robertson may want to adjourn the case a few weeks – perhaps to have it coincide with the dates set for Marsha Springer’s return appearance in District Court – but said to Anthony Springer, “That would be up to your attorney to decide.”

Manslaughter and first degree child abuse each call for a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years.  Welty indicated the manslaughter charge can also involve a $7,500 fine.

According to the prosecutor’s office, if convicted of both charges, either defendant would have the right to serve the terms of imprisonment concurrently.

The charges stem from an investigation that began when Calista was found dead, chained to her bed, after a fire on February 27, 2008 at the home the family shared in Centreville.