It was bound to be an emotional day in court for the families of Tyvitta Dischler and the James Hutchins but it was the defendant who let his emotions get the best of him.
Hutchins is accused of killing his wife, Tyvitta, less than a month after she filed for a restraining order against Hutchins. He is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, along with a count of physical child abuse.
"I'm sorry Todd," said James Hutchins to the father of Tyvitta as he entered the courtroom Tuesday.
"Mr. Hutchins, you can't talk in court," said Hutchins' attorney.
"I can talk," Hutchins responded. "You're fired. You're fired. She's fired. She's fired. ASAP."
The court gave Hutchins and his attorney a moment to talk in private before he reappeared and changed his mind on keeping his attorney. However, the outburst and apology bothered the Dischler family.
Before the outburst, Hutchins looked directly at Tyvitta's father, Todd Dischler, in the front row and said he was sorry. Dischler declined an interview today but had the following statement about the apology.
"I believe he is sincere and I forgive him," Dischler said. "I'm glad he said that. I don't have hatred toward him. I believe he made a really bad mistake."
For other members of the family, it was an emotional day.
"It was a very emotional day," said Candace Dischler-Rupple, Tyvitta’s aunt. "It made me angry. It also made me very sad that if he was so sorry, he wouldn't have done what he did."
"I think he said sorry because everyone was around," said Z Jackson, Tyvitta’s cousin. "It was the right thing to do but I don't think he's remorseful at all."
Hutchins filed a not guilty plea and will be back in court June 28 to schedule his trial.
The difficulties continue for the Tyvitta’s family. Just a month before she was killed, Dischler and Hutchins were enjoying an Easter party with friends. Dischler's sister posted a video to Facebook of the two racing with eggs on spoons.
"He was a normal guy the last time we seen him on Easter," said Tahessha Dischler, Tyvitta's sister. "But in court, he seemed like a totally different person. Like he had an anger issue. I never knew that about him until I seen him today."
