Hearing delayed again for jailed Utah man in Venezuela

UPDATE: 4:00 p.m. (KIFI/KIDK)

Holt’s mother, Laurie, issued a brief written comment about the delayed hearing:

“My heart is broken. I can’t believe this. Why has there been no justice for Josh and Thamy? I am lost of what to do next.”

She said it now appears a date for a new hearing won’t come until mid-January.

ORIGINAL STORY:

A Utah man jailed in Venezuela since June has had his hopes for being reunited with his family for Christmas all but dashed with the fourth postponement of a preliminary hearing.

Judge Elena Cassiani did not appear for Tuesday’s hearing in which she was to rule on whether to dismiss the weapons charges against Joshua Holt. A new date was set for January.

Holt traveled to Venezuela to marry a woman he met online. Officials have charged he was stockpiling weapons in his wife’s apartment and linked him to what it alleges was a U.S.-backed attempt to overthrow President Nicolas Maduro.

Secretary of State John Kerry has voiced concern about Holt’s imprisonment and a senior State Department official discussed the case with officials during two recent visits to Caracas.