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Mother Of Accused Killer Appears In N.J. Court To Face Charges

ELIZABETH, N.J.(CBSNewYork) -- The mother of a Union county man accused of killing his girlfriend appeared in court on Wednesday to face charges of her own.

Eleanor Schofield, 70, has been accused of helping her son Matthew Ballister conceal evidence of his alleged crime, CBS 2's Christine Sloan reported.

Schofield had nothing to say about allegations that she helped her son cover up the murder of his girlfriend April Wyckoff.

Harely Breite, Schofield's attorney, denied the allegations against his client as he escorted her into a New Jersey courtroom.

"My client is innocent of all charges. We are waiting for the jury to hear all of the proof and truth," he said.

Breite entered a plea of not guilty on behalf of Schofield whose son appeared in the same courtroom on Monday. Matthew Ballister stands accused of first degree murder.

Schofield posted $1,500 bond, Ballister remains behind bars on $2-million bail.

Prosecutors said that they have evidence that shows that Ballister killed Wyckoff inside of his Union home before dumping her remains in Newark.

Wyckoff's body was discovered in a wooded industrial area near the Passaic River. Ballister had been charged with murder before her remains were discovered.

Investigators said that they were searching for additional human remains inside of Ballister's home but would not elaborate on what they had already found.

Court papers have shown that authorities have video surveillance in the case against Ballister, they also indicated that 911 call was made, possibly by a Newark resident.

Ballister's Hummer was also recovered; his mother will be back in court in January and could face up to 18-months behind bars.

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