LENAWEE COUNTY, Mich. — Dale Warner, the man accused of killing his wife, Lenawee County woman Dee Warner, appeared via video call in the Lenawee County Circuit Court Wednesday for a pretrial hearing. It was Dale's first appearance in court since Dee's body was discovered last month, and culminated in a continuance of the hearing.
The hearing began around 8:15 a.m. and concluded in a matter of minutes. Dale's attorney, Mary Chartier, said she is meeting with the prosecution next week. She said with the recent discovery of Dee's body, more time is needed to review the information.
EARLIER COVERAGE: 'Her spirit's gone a long way': Dee Warner's family holds press conference, gives update on investigation
The prosecution also requested another pretrial date in 60 days to allow for a review of pretrial transcripts and the new discovery.
The judge scheduled the next pretrial hearing for Oct. 30 at 8:15 a.m.
Dale is accused of killing Dee and has been charged with murder in her death. She was reported missing in April 2021. While Dale and his defense claimed Dee had fled the country, a preliminary hearing ultimately bound Dale over to trial in June.
In August, a body was discovered welded into an empty chemical tank on one of Dale's properties. An autopsy positively identified the body as Dee's and ruled her death a homicide.
Several members from both Dee and Dale's families attended the hearing. Dee's brother, Gregg Hardy, said the continuance was not surprising, given the development of Dee's body having been found.
"It's up to the court and the trial to find him whatever justice he deserves, and we want to focus on the community and what they can do to make sure this doesn't happen to anyone else," Hardy told WTOL 11.
WATCH MORE