LENAWEE COUNTY, Mich. – After days of intense jury selection, prosecutors and defense attorneys in the Dale Warner murder trial have advanced nearly 100 potential jurors to the next round, while also addressing key evidentiary matters on Friday.
Warner, who faces murder charges in the death of his wife Dee Warner, appeared in Lenawee County Court wearing a suit and surrounded by his defense team on Feb. 6.
The court focused on several pretrial motions, including whether certain evidence would be admissible during the trial.
A big focus was on the qualification of a paint analysis expert whose testimony could prove crucial to the prosecution’s case.
Michelle Ponschke from the Michigan State Police Crime Lab testified about her credentials and experience in paint analysis.
Prosecutors allege Warner painted over the fertilizer tank where Dee’s body was found.
The case has drawn significant attention since Dee Warner disappeared from her Franklin Township home in April 2021. Her remains were discovered years later, hidden inside a resealed anhydrous fertilizer tank on Dale Warner’s property.
Defense attorneys filed multiple motions Thursday, seeking to exclude certain evidence from trial. These included requests to block testimony about Dale’s past behavior and to limit hearsay evidence.
The jury selection process, which began on January 27, has faced unique challenges due to the case’s high profile in the community.
Hundreds of potential jurors were dismissed, with some openly stating they believed Warner was guilty. Others were excluded for being members of the “Justice for Dee” Facebook group.
The final jury will consist of 12 members and four alternates. Due to the extended jury selection process, the trial start date has been pushed back one day. That means phase two of jury selection is scheduled for Tuesday and opening statements are expected on Wednesday.
If convicted, Warner could face life in prison.
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