State prosecutors are planning to ask for a new arraignment date for the owners of Return to Nature Funeral Home, to allow time for the federal plea process to finish.

Plans to delay the state court proceedings were stated in emails between prosecutors and victimized family members, which were shared with The Gazette.

The funeral home, about 35 miles southwest of Colorado Springs in Penrose that has since been demolished by the EPA, came under a multiagency investigation in October 2023 after reports of a complaint about a foul odor in the area. Investigators said they found nearly 190 bodies in various states of decomposition that were not properly stored.

Jon and Carie Hallford, owners of Return to Nature Funeral Home, were scheduled to enter a plea in the state-level case on Friday, but one of the victims told The Gazette that 4th Judicial District prosecutors are planning to ask for a new arraignment date.

“We’re approaching a year since this nightmare began, and there has been delay after delay,” said Tanya Wilson, an affected family member.

Wilson was notified in October that the remains of her 76-year-old mother were among those identified at Return to Nature.

“While I understand why it’s necessary, it’s hard to manage the conflicting emotions of wanting this to be over but also needing the Hallfords to be held accountable for every horrific act in court,” she said.

In July the Hallfords were offered a plea deal in their state case, where they face 286 criminal charges.

Carie Hallford, if she accepts the current state plea deal, would plead guilty to 190 counts of abuse of a corpse. She would then serve 15-20 years to run concurrently to the federal sentence she receives.

Jon Hallford, if he accepts his current state plea deal, would also plead guilty to 190 counts of abuse of a corpse. He would serve 20 years to run concurrently with the federal sentence he receives.

Last weekend, the Hallfords told the court that they would accept a plea deal in their federal case, according to court documents obtained by The Gazette, which would result in both of them being sentenced to 15 years in prison. They will need to return to federal court to complete the plea proceedings.

The Hallfords were also on the losing end of a class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of 125 relatives of the mishandled  dead. A judge awarded a $950 million default judgement in August. The attorney for the plaintiffs in the lawsuit said the size of the judgment set a state record, adding however, that it was unlikely the Hallfords would ever be able to pay it.

Jon Hallford is being held without bond pending the outcome of his federal case, despite being released on a $100,000 bond in his state-level case.

Carie Hallford remains out of custody on a $100,000 bond.

The Hallfords’ hearing is scheduled at 1:30 p.m. Friday.