Five years passed in the true crime case of Dale Warner from Michigan. However, finally, the trial starts and he faces charges of murdering his wife, Dee. Read on for more updates and details.
The No Body Case
Folks from Lenawee County will, no doubt, follow the case closely. After all, for years, investigators simply couldn’t produce a body. And without that, forensic evidence wouldn’t have been all that easy. But, three years after her death, Dee was found in a sealed “anhydrous ammonia tank” on property owned by Dale. Apparently, it was cut open, Dee was stuffed inside, and then it was sealed up again.
Slowly, the murder case pressed on with frustrated investigators confronting Dale Warner who insisted on his innocence in the disappearance. Naturally, that was a long time for locals to wonder about the dad of five kids.
In time, doctors found that Dee probably died from heavy blows followed by choking.
Not Taking A Plea
Late last week, Click On Detroit reported that the “trial for Dale Warner, a Lenawee County man charged with murdering his wife, Dee Warner, started with jury selction nearly five years after her disappearance.” Actually, the original date, slated for September last year was changed after Warner’s legal team requested a delay for medical reasons.
On Friday, the prosecution offered Warner a deal. That would have involved a lesser charge of second-degree murder if he confessed. However, he turned the offer down, saying that he wants to stick with his “not guilty” plea. Notably, he seems to feel he stands a chance of being found innocent by a jury.
Jury Problems
Well, finding a jury also took time. Per WZZM, a group called “Justice for Dee,” may have influenced people. Notably, Lenawee County is small, and everyone feels ready to voice an opinion. The defense is particularly worried that the group may have influenced people.
Plus, they think many potential jurors might hope to be on the panel. Termed “Stealth Jurors,” they might secretly support Warner, or just want to see him go down hard. Additionally, during questioning, significant numbers of them had already decided that Dale was guilty.
A Long Trial Ahead
With the turning down of a deal, Dale effectively now brings months of legal wrangling in court. Opening statements are expected on February 10, 2026. Notably, the trial is expected to last about nine weeks: plenty of time for true crime followers to get their fix.
From the side of the prosecution, it seems that loads of evidence against Dale Warner killing Dee is circumstantial. Naturally, the defense will poke a lot of holes in that sort of evidence. Actually, by not taking the deal, Dale potentially faces life with no possibility of parole if he’s found guilty.
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