Suspects In Tracy Shackled Teen Case Set For Trial

STOCKTON (AP) - Three Tracy residents accused of holding captive and torturing a teenage boy for more than a year are expected to appear in court Friday in advance of a trial scheduled for next week.

Four suspects made a brief court appearance Wednesday in Stockton. Attorneys can't discuss the case due to of a gag order, but the attorney for 45-year-old Caren Ramirez hinted that a trial may not be necessary in her case.

36-year-old Michael Schumacher, his 32-year-old wife, Kelly Lau, and 31-year-old Anthony Waiters are also charged in the case, although Waiters is not expected to attend Friday's hearing.

A 16-year-old boy escaped from the Schumacher/Lau home in 2008 by allegedly unlocking an ankle chain and stumbling emaciated and bruised into a health club.