Special to the Leader & Times

WICHITA — Tad Cullum, one of five people charged in the killing of Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley, filed a motion to have his charges dismissed on Friday.

Cullum is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of unlawful removal of a dead body, two counts of desecration of a human corpse, and one count of conspiracy.

His case is set to go before a jury in October, according to Oklahoma court documents. If he is convicted, prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty.

Cullum is trying to get the case thrown out. His lawyers filed a motion to sanction the Texas County, Okla., district attorney. The motion accuses George Leach III of violating the court’s gag order, which was put in place to keep the jury from having prejudice for or against the defense.

In the motion, Cullum’s attorney points to an online blog in which Leach talks about the case and a report by KSN, citing the district attorney, as evidence he violated the gag order. KSN’s Julia Thatcher reported details found in public court filings and confirmed details previously discussed in open court.

The defense is asking for Cullum’s charges to be dismissed with prejudice, meaning charges could not be filed again. The motion also asks for a public reprimand of Leach.

A hearing on the motion is set for July 30.