Trial rescheduled for CMU student who allegedly poisoned her roommate

The trial for the former Central Michigan University student who allegedly poisoned her roommate’s iced tea with bleach in November has been rescheduled.

Judge Mark H. Duthie ordered the trial for Kayla A. Bonkowski to be adjourned at the request of the prosecutor and the defense attorney.

“The trial has been moved back to April,” said defense attorney Todd Levitt. “I look forward to proving her innocence.”

The original trial date was set for 9 a.m. Monday, but it was rescheduled for 9 a.m. April 8 before Judge Paul H. Chamberlain.

There was a settlement conference on Monday where both parties met to discuss terms of a possible plea bargain but were unable to resolve the matter.

Levitt made the argument for Bonkowski’s innocence by explaining the severity of the crime.

“You’re more likely to get sick from drinking pool water than in this case,” Levitt said.

As previously reported by Central Michigan Life, Bonkowski allegedly put bleach in her 20-year-old roommate’s iced tea Nov. 7 at their Jamestown apartment complex in Union Township following an argument over dirty dishes, according to court documents.

Bonkowski admitted that poisoning her roommate was a serious thing, but she did it anyway because she said her roommate was being “mean,” according to an affidavit.

After consuming the iced tea, Bonkowski’s roommate was taken to the hospital for treatment and later reported the incident to the authorities.

A petition for a personal protection order against Bonkowski by the victim was authorized by Isabella County Prosecutor Risa Scully and issued Dec. 3.

Bonkowski was previously charged with poisoning food/drink/medicine/water supply, which carries a maximum 15-year penalty.

As previously reported, the court found Bonkowski in violation of her bond conditions on Jan. 22 after being spotted at Wayside Central, 2000 S. Mission St., on Jan. 9 at the same time as the roommate.

The conditions she broke include a restraining order and attending an establishment that served alcohol.

Bonkowski was then held without bond in the Isabella County Jail for 13 days before Feb. 4, when the court denied a motion to reinstate the original bond that was set at $20,000, which was paid on Dec. 12, 2012, before winter break.

Instead, the court set a new bond with added conditions that did not allow Bonkowski to be in Isabella County for any reason other than to appear in court or to meet with her attorney.

Other conditions included a 10 p.m. curfew and requiring Bonkowski to live at home with her parents. Bonkowski was already staying with her parents while attending classes at Macomb Community College prior to being spotted at Wayside.

The new bond was set at $50,000, with 10 percent of it being paid on Feb. 11, after the hearing.