A Hutchinson man accused of first degree murder made an appearance with his newly appointed attorney Wednesday where Judge Joe McCarville set a preliminary hearing date for early next year.

Michael Brisco is charged with two alternate counts of murder for the shooting of an Illinois man back on September 9. One being first degree premeditated murder and the other a charge of second degree murder. Other charges include criminal possession of a firearm, possession of methamphetamine and aggravated intimidation of a witness.

Alice Osburn who was recently appointed to the case told the judge that she understands that not all the discovery in the case will be available to till the end of the year. Deputy District Attorney Tom Stanton confirmed that, so a hearing over discovery scheduled for next week has been canceled and the judge set a preliminary hearing date of January 7 and then concluding on January 9. This after Stanton told the court he would probably need two days to present evidence in the case.

The judge also ordered no contact with all the witnesses in the case which apparently includes Brisco’s fiancee who he says has come to the jail to see him every week. But, she is a witness in the case.

Apparently, civilian witnesses are not listed on the current complaint and when they are indicated to the court, it may be sealed, meaning the public and the media will not have access to that information prior to trial.

Brisco is charged for the killing of 26-year-old Sem Adrien. He was found suffering a gunshot wound in a small parking lot at 8th & Plum. He was taken to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center where he was then pronounced dead.

Brisco remains jailed on a 700-thousand dollar bond.