Grand Jury to hear case of body found in Campbell freezer

The case against a man suspected of hiding a woman's body inside a freezer, and his girlfriend, will head to the Mahoning County Grand Jury. 

Thirty-one-year-old Arturo Novoa and 34-year-old Katrina Layton, both accused of abuse of a corpse, waived a preliminary hearing set for Monday afternoon, after Youngstown's prosecutor subpoenaed 18 people on Friday to show up and testify at the hearing.

Youngstown Municipal Court Judge Milich determined that the case will be bound over to the Mahoning County Grand Jury, which will decide if there is enough evidence to put the two on trial. 

Investigators previously said that a couple who had known Novoa for several years under a different name found the body inside of a freezer that they agreed to store in the basement of their Campbell home.

The couple, as well as several Youngstown and Campbell police officers, were subpoenaed to testify at today's hearing, however, that did not happen because no evidence was presented.  

It was previously revealed by Youngstown Prosecutor Dana Lantz that Novoa had the keys to the freezer when he was arrested, but denied knowing anything about the body found inside.

The remains have since been identified as belonging to 28-year-old Shannon Graves, who was reported missing earlier this year after she had not been seen by family for several months.

Authorities have not yet revealed details on how they believe Graves died. 

Novoa and Layton have been jailed in the Mahoning County Justice Center since they were arrested on July 30.

Prosecutor Lantz previously said that Layton essentially took over Grave's life, taking care of her dog and driving her car after her disappearance.

Lantz said Layton also is the one who bought the freezer where the body was kept. Layton is described as Novoa's girlfriend.