JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Neptune Beach teenager accused of killing his own grandmother was back in court for his pretrial hearing on Thursday. Logan Mott's parents appeared by his side before the judge, along with his attorney.
Mott is facing a second-degree murder charge for Kristina French’s death. The pair was initially reported missing over Thanksgiving week last year and her body was found buried in her backyard in Neptune Beach shortly after.
In court on Thursday, 15-year-old Mott waived his right to a speedy trial. He wore an orange jumpsuit, indicating he’s under a closer watch by officers due to his case being high profile and the possibility that he could be at risk for mental health issues.
After the pretrial, a close family member exclusively spoke with First Coast News about the family dynamic, revealing a close relationship with Mott and his grandmother. The family member wished to remain anonymous for the time being due to the sensitivity of the situation.
“She watched him every opportunity that she was given, she wanted to spend as much time with him as much as she could,” said the family member.
He told First Coast News Mott’s grandmother moved to Jacksonville about five years ago to be closer to the family. When asked if she was always close to Logan, he responded:
“Very, very, very,” he said. “Inseparable. And everything was Logan this, Logan this, Logan that. Trust me when I tell you that.”
He described her as a “healer” and a comfort for everyone.
“She was always called upon when there was trouble in the family, she was the one they always called on to… to iron stuff out," he said.
He said she recently started a company working with young teens about Logan’s age who were on the autism spectrum, a career she’d been pursuing most of her life. The name of the company was deemed “Shining Stars." Now that she can’t run it, we’re told her son, Logan’s dad, Eric Mott, may try to take over so it can continue.
When asked if he thought if Mott was innocent, it was clear it was not a subject he wanted to discuss.
“I’m not going to get into that. It is what it is, you know?” he said. “If your niece was murdered, how would you take it? There will never be any answers.”
Neither Eric Mott or Carrie Mott wanted to make a comment on Thursday. The family member told us it’s still too raw for them.
“The person that’s in a conundrum here is Eric, not only is his mother the victim but his son is also the perpetrator, so put yourself in that position, you know, you’re being pulled from both ends," he said.
As for Logan, he remains in isolation in jail.
“You have to keep juveniles separate from other inmates so he is in isolation, he has school work that he is doing, the school system is supporting him there, he has exercise privileges, and our office is trying to see him as often as possible,” said Mott's attorney, Charlie Cofer.
Working with Cofer is Mott's original attorney out of Buffalo, Dominic Saraceno, who said he’s sticking to a promise he made the family.
“I gave them my word that when the case came to Florida I wouldn’t abandon them,” he said.
Neither attorney would comment on strategy, but they seem to be getting along with his parents.
“No it wasn’t animosity, it’s going well, I’d say things are going well,” Cofer said.
Cofer said the jail has taken good care of him and are doing a better job at checking his blood pressure and overall state of health since he is diabetic.
As a lieutenant with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, Eric Mott was recently transferred from the downtown jail to the Northside prison to avoid any conflicts of interest with his son being housed there. His father is not allowed any special privileges to see him.
Mott will return to the Duval County Courthouse for another pretrial hearing on March 27.