One of Ashe County’s most infamous murder cases took center stage Monday afternoon in the form of a preliminary hearing for Frederick P. Hammer.

Hammer, 48, is charged with the shooting deaths of three prominent area men on Jan. 24 on Ronald Hudler’s property. In the course of the afternoon, testimony from the Ashe County Sheriff’s Department, Grayson County Sheriff’s department, Virginia Commonwealth Medical Examiner’s office, and coworkers of the Hudler’s were collected.

After hearing nearly 6 hours of testimony, Judge Randall Duncan ruled that probable cause did exist and the case would be heard of in front of a grand jury. The case is scheduled to go to trial sometime in October. Hammer was defended by attorney Jonathan Venzvie.

Medical autopsy photographs as well as crime scene photographs were exchanged between the defense and prosecution in order to begin piecing together a case. Video surveillance footage at a convenience store on Hwy 58 W had also been examined that shot Hammer driving toward the area of the crime scene at approximately 10:22 a.m. on Jan. 24.

In the closing moments of the hearing, Venzvi noted that Hammer’s truck was likely involved in the murder.

“After hearing today’s evidence and testimony, we have concluded that Hammer’s truck was likely used in the murder but this does not mean he had anything to do with the killings. There are some pieces of evidence and time frames that just do not seem to add up.”

Please visit the Jefferson Post later today for a complete account of yesterday’s events.