Brooke Bennett's death ruled a homicide

(Anya Huneke, NECN: Burlington, VT) - There are some new developments in the case of Brooke Bennett, the 12-year-old kidnapped and found dead in Vermont. On Monday, both her stepfather and uncle accused in her kidnapping appeared in court. The hearings shed new light on each suspects alleged role, accusations of cover up and other crimes against children. The Judge said there was too much of a risk if they were freed and are being held pending their trial. Her uncle 42-year-old Michael Jacques is charged with her kidnapping, and Ray Gagnon is charged with obstruction of justice. Police believe Jacques of Randolph, Vermont attempted an elaborate plan to initiate Bennett into a sex program, through e-mails to his 14-year-old relative who has been in the program for five years. Both Gagnon and Jacques are due back in court July 17. Prosecutor Craig Nolan says Bennett's death has been ruled a homicide. Also authorities in Alabama have lodged child pornography charges against Gagnon, who used to live there. NECN's Anya Huneke has more.