John McDonough, newly-installed as St. Joseph County Prosecuting Attorney, has announced a change in the charges against Anthony and Marsha Springer in connection with the death of 16-year-old Calista Springer early last year.

In a news release issued Thursday morning (January 15th), McDonough said, “After reviewing this case with State Police Detective Mike Scott and the Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys in my office I have decided that it is necessary to amend the charges for Mr. and Mrs. Springer.  I have decided that the most appropriate charges are Felony Murder, Torture, both of which carry up to life in prison, and Child Abuse in the First Degree, a fifteen-year felony.”

Under Doug Fisher, McDonough’s predecessor, the Springers – the father and adoptive mother of Calista – were charged with one count of Manslaughter and one count of First Degree Child Abuse, each of which call for a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years.  Both were arraigned on these charges in 3-B District Court in Centreville on December 15th.

The Prosecuting Attorney’s office reported last week that the preliminary examinations on both of the Springer files had been postponed at McDonough’s request so that he would have more time to prepare for the cases.

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 family’s home in Centreville.

For additional information on this topic, click on the following link to access a story from the Kalamazoo Gazette:

Prosecutor sees evidence of murder – Calista Springer’s parents also face torture charge

Editor’s Note:  This story was updated at 12:55 p.m. 1-16-09 to add the link to the Kalamazoo Gazette article.