Smithers Makes Court Appearance, Gleason’s Body to be Released

ST. CLOUD - The man accused of punching and killing Colton Gleason last fall made an appearance in Stearns County court yesterday (Friday).

The new lawyer representing 17-year-old Jesse Smithers told the judge the Ramsey County Medical Examiner could now release Gleason's body to his family, about four months after the September 20th incident that took his life.  Previous public defenders for Smithers wanted the body held, so they could conduct testing.

Smithers has been certified to stand trial as an adult.  His next court appearance is expected to be in March.