Preliminary hearing begins for Lenawee County man accused of killing wife (2024)

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By WTVG Staff

Published: May. 1, 2024 at 11:49 AM EDT

ADRIAN, Mich. (WTVG) - A Lenawee County man charged with murder in the death of his wife more than two years after she went missing is back in court this week.

Dale Warner is accused of killing 52-year-old Dee Warner, who went missing in April 2021. He’s charged with murder and tampering with evidence and has pleaded not guilty. Dee’s body has never been found and the courts declared her legally dead just earlier this year.

The preliminary hearing will let the judge decide if there is enough evidence to move forward with the case and eventually go to trial. A lengthy examination of a case before a jury is even picked is not something you always see in Ohio, but is normal in Michigan.

Wednesday’s court proceedings will give a closer look into the prosecution’s case. A few people gave background on both Dee and Dale Warner so far Wednesday.

Amy Alexander, one of Dee’s longtime friends, set up the Justice for Dee organization when the search for her ramped up. She discussed the turbulence she witnessed in Dale and Dee’s relationship, saying there was a lot of verbal fighting.

This hearing is scheduled for three days. Michigan does not have a grand jury process as extensive as Ohio, so a trial would be set if the judge agrees to move forward barring any major motions.

Dee Warner’s daughter provided testimony Wednesday. She said she went to her mother’s house on a Sunday morning in April to go shopping with her mom. But she did not find her. She told the court about how her mother was unhappy in the marriage and would fight with Dale Warner. She also said that Dee Warner would often hide her phone from her husband.

The preliminary examination is scheduled to last three days.

  • Lenawee Co. court rules Dee Warner legally dead
  • Judge agrees to lower bond for Dale Warner
  • ‘Justice for Dee’ rallies for first time since major break in the case
  • Dale Warner charged with the murder of Dee Ann Warner
  • Dee Ann Warner’s husband sentenced to 93 days in jail for contempt of court
  • Authorities dig up family property in investigation into Dee Warner’s disappearance
  • Husband of Dee Warner appears in probate court
  • Judge to decide whether to declare Dee Warner legally dead next month
  • Family of Dee Warner continues fight to legally declare her dead
  • Children of Dee Ann Warner petition to establish death
  • Family offers $50,000 reward to find Dee Warner
  • Michigan State Police officially takes over Dee Warner missing person case
  • Family offers $50,000 reward to find Dee Warner
  • Michigan State Police officially takes over Dee Warner missing person case
  • Family of missing Lenawee Co. woman speaks
  • Still no signs of missing Lenawee County woman
  • Family and friends of missing Lenawee County woman hoping for answers

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Preliminary hearing begins for Lenawee County man accused of killing wife (2024)

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