Case Against Man Accused in Fleming Killing Pushed to 2027

Preston Pierce, the former law enforcement officer accused in the kidnapping and killing of Gretchen Fleming, will not go to trial until 2027 at the earliest. A Wood County judge moved the case to the January term of court during a status hearing Monday. No trial date has been set, though the earliest date would likely be in May of next year.

Pierce is accused of killing Fleming in December 2022. Her body was not found until 2025. Prosecutors did not object to a delay requested by Pierce's defense team. Because the case is so old, the investigation has produced an unusual amount of discovery material, according to court records.

Phillip Fleming, Gretchen's grandfather, said the timeline was not a surprise but the wait has taken a toll on the family. "I'd just like to get it over with. Come December, it's been four years since Gretchen disappeared," he said. "Since then, I've lost my wife which was Gretchen's grandmother and lost my son, which was Gretchen's dad. It's been very frustrating for us as a family. We'd just like to get it over with."

Another status hearing is scheduled for Dec. 21.