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Repp arraigned in wife's death photo by Bob Pennell Former Oregon State Trooper recruit Gary Marvin Repp Jr. talks with his attorney, Carl Caplan, in a Jackson County courtroom Thursday. By SARAH LEMON Family and friends of Kerry Michele Repp held hands and silently watched as Gary Marvin Repp Jr. appeared in court for the first time Thursday on charges that he murdered his wife. Repp, 32, of Central Point, did not enter a plea at his arraignment Thursday afternoon in Jackson County Circuit Court. He was arrested and jailed without bail Wednesday morning on a charge of murder. The former Oregon State Police recruit is charged with shooting his wife, 29-year-old Kerry Michele Repp, whose body was found the afternoon of May 4 in the couple's Hazel Street home. She was three months pregnant. An autopsy last week said her death a homicide. Kerry Repp's first husband, Shane Deskins, and his wife went to the arraignment, as well as several friends of Kerry Repp. They offered no comments after the arraignment, saying police asked them not to talk to reporters. Kerry Repp's parents, Ron and JoeAnn Johnson were not present. Gary Repp's family also was absent. Gary Repp spoke only to his attorney, Carl Caplan, who requested a preliminary hearing to determine if bail could be set for his client. Caplan requested the hearing because Repp had been a suspect in the case for some time and has made no attempt to leave the area, he said. Circuit Judge Ross Davis granted a hearing scheduled for Thursday. However, the case is expected to go before a grand jury Tuesday, said Mark Huddleston, Jackson County district attorney. Before the grand jury hearing, officials will release little information about the case. Details about the autopsy, physical evidence at the scene and timeline of Kerry Repp's death were not released. Police said last week that she was shot more than once with a handgun found near her body. The Repp's reportedly had a difficult relationship, and Kerry Repp had filed for divorce last month. However, the papers were not served, and the couple were living together trying to reconcile. Gary Repp was the only "person of interest" investigators had named in the case before his arrest Wednesday morning at OSP's regional headquarters in Central Point. OSP terminated Repp's employment shortly before his arrest, police said. Police earlier combed the Repp's Hazel Street home and Gary Repp's vehicle. Investigators also obtained a search warrant for Gary Repp himself, who they expected to find at the home of his brother Lance Repp, in the 1000 block of Ingrid Street in Medford, said Central Point police Chief Mike Sweeny. The warrants are sealed. Gary Repp is a former Jackson County parole and probation officer. He graduated from the OSP Recruit School last month and had trained with OSP for one week. He also is a captain with the Oregon Army National Guard. Reach reporter Sarah Lemon at 776-4487, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.