A Macomb County man has pleaded no contest in connection with the murders of his brother and sister-in-law in Livingston County in 2008, officials said.
Jerome Kowalski, 79, of Warren, pleaded no contest to two counts of open murder (potential life sentences) and two counts of felony firearm (each a 2-year felony), according to a release for Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office.
He was initially convicted in 2013, but that conviction was vacated due to misconduct committed by the original trial judge, Theresa Brennan.
Brennan was having an affair with the lead Michigan State Police investigator on the case.
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In 2023, Judge Matthew Stewart granted Kowalksi bond. Kowalski served 13 years and eight months in prison from his arrest to the time he was released.
“Kowalski will next appear for a degree hearing to determine whether he will be found guilty of first-degree murder or second-degree murder,” according to Nessel’s office. “The plea was the product of a Cobbs agreement between Kowalski and the Court.”
Nessel’s office objected to the agreement, “and will continue to pursue a just outcome in this case,” according to the release.
A date for the hearing hasn’t been scheduled yet.