Court Cases

Dale Warner in court today. Photo by Tracy Stengel. It appears the prosecution has rested in the Dale Warner murder trial. Dale is charged with the murder of his wife, Dee Ann Warner, and tampering with evidence. Today, Det. Lt. Drewyor of Michigan State Police (MSP) was the on the stand the entire day. In March 2022, Drewyor joined a task force between LCSO, MSP, and the FBI. After seeing surveillance video of Dale gathering welding supplies and moving a welder the day Dee v

Dale Warner. Above his head is his fingerprint. Photo by Tracy Stengel. Today was Day 9 of witness testimony in the Dale Warner murder trial. His wife, Dee Ann Warner was found sealed in an anhydrous ammonia tank on his property. Michelle Ponschke, Forensic Laboratory Manager for Michigan State Police (MSP), examined and analyzed seven paint chips collected from the anhydrous ammonia tank where Dee Ann Warner’s body was found. She compared them with 4 paint sticks, 3 cans of

Dale Warner. Photo by Serge Ivonin The Dale Warner murder trial continued today in Lenawee County Circuit Court. Dale is charged with open murder of his wife, Dee Ann Warner, and tampering with evidence. After being reported missing over 3 years, Dee’s body was found in an anhydrous ammonia tank on Dale’s property August 17, 2024. The first witness was Jack Taeff, a canine handler for Michigan State Police. He arrived at the Warner farm Tuesday, April 27, 2021, two days after

Dale Warner in court today. Photo by Tracy Stengel. Six witnesses testified today during Dale Warner’s murder trial in Lenawee County Circuit Court. Dale is charged with open murder and tampering with evidence in the death of his wife, Dee Ann Warner. On August 17, 2024, over three years after she was reported missing, Dee’s remains were found inside an anhydrous ammonia tank on Dale’s property. Jason Gravelle worked for Dale’s farming business when Dee went missing. A jack o

Dale Warner. Photo by Tracy Stengel. Dale Warner claims he didn’t kill his wife, Dee Ann Warner, but the prosecution is presenting an abundance of evidence that says otherwise. Today, in Lenawee County Circuit Court, much of that evidence came from Dale’s own surveillance cameras. Ironically, those are cameras Dee insisted on having installed. Ivan Boyd worked for War-Ag, Dale’s farming business, for four years until shortly after Dee vanished. He handled field work, made del

Dale Warner moments before viewing his wife's autopsy pics. Photo by Tracy Stengel. The prosecution kicked off the fifth day of witness testimony in the Dale Warner murder trial with more footage of law enforcement interviewing Dale. Dee Ann Warner, Dale’s wife, disappeared from their Tecumseh, Michigan farm on April 25, 2021. It didn’t take long for her family and friends to believe Dale was responsible based on years of marital discord and domestic violence. Frustrated ther

Dale Warner. Photo by Tracy Stengel Electronic evidence collected from cellphones, OnStar, and body cams were a key focus today in the Dale Warner murder trial. Dale is facing open murder and tampering charges in the death of his wife, Dee Ann Warner. This Lenawee County case in Michigan has captured national media attention. Dee was missing for over three years before authorities found her remains in a rewelded fertilizer tank on Dale’s property. Georgia Ziegler, Michigan St

Dale Warner in court today with attorney, Shawn Head. Photo by Tracy Stengel. Testimony continued today in the Dale Warner murder trial. Dale Warner is charged with open murder and tampering with evidence in the death of his wife, Dee Ann Warner. For over 3 years, Dee was considered a missing person after disappearing from her Tecumseh, Michigan farm the day after she planned to tell Dale she wanted a divorce. In August 2024, her body was found in a fertilizer tank on Dale’s

Dee Ann Warner. Photo courtesy of Parker Hardy. Today marked the second day jurors listened to testimony in the Dale Warner murder trial. Dale is charged with open murder and tampering with evidence in the death of his wife, Dee Ann Warner. On January 27, 2026, Dale turned down a plea deal for 2 nd  degree murder and tampering with evidence. Dee was missing from April 25, 2021 - August 17, 2024, when her remains were found in a rewelded anhydrous ammonia tank on Dale’s proper

Dee Ann Warner. Photo courtesy of Parker Hardy. Opening statements and testimony began today in Dale Warner’s trial. He is charged with open murder and tampering with evidence in the death of his wife, Dee Ann Warner, who was reported missing April 25, 2021. David McCreedy, of the prosecution, began by showing a close-up picture of the victim on a large screen. Dee had a vibrant smile with a splash of sunshine on her face. McCreedy said Dee died of strangulation and blunt for

Retired Detective Kevin Greca in court today. Photo by Tracy Stengel. An evidentiary hearing was held this morning in Lenawee County Circuit Court to tie up any loose ends before Dale Warner’s trial. Dale was charged with open murder and tampering with evidence in the death of his wife, Dee Ann Warner. The court expects to hear opening statements tomorrow. There were a series of motions Judge Olsaver heard on Friday, February 6, 2026, including a motion made by the defense as

On the left, Dale Warner with attorney, Shawn Head. Photo by Tracy Stengel. Eleven men and 5 women will serve as jurors in Dale Warner’s murder trial in Lenawee County Circuit Court. Four will be alternates. This morning, Judge Olsaver denied the defense’s motion for change of venue. He acknowledged the massive media attention this case has garnered, but media attention does not inevitably lead to an unfair trial. He increased peremptory challenges by 50% for the defense and

Dale Warner with attorney, Shawn Head today. Photo by Tracy Stengel. There was a Daubert hearing in Lenawee County Circuit Court today in preparation for Dale Warner’s murder trial. The hearing was to determine whether or not to allow Michelle Ponschke of the Michigan State Police Crime Lab to testify during the trial. The defense not only scrutinized Ms. Ponschke’s qualifications but also challenged the relevance of her analysis. Dale’s wife, Dee Ann Warner, was reported mis

Dale Warner. Photo by Tracy Stengel. The first round of jury selection for Dale Warner’s murder trial ended today. Ninety-six jurors advanced to the second and final round which is expected to begin Tuesday, February 10, 2026. Both the prosecutor and the defense attorney said they were comfortable with that number. During the first round, there was a questionnaire to fill out. After receiving juror instructions from Judge Olsaver, potential jurors were brought in the courtroo

Dale Warner. Photo by Tracy Stengel Today marked the sixth day of jury selection for the Dale Warner murder trial. Dale was charged in November 2023 with open murder and tampering with evidence in the death of his wife, Dee Ann Warner . Dale currently resides in Lenawee County Jail. This case has garnered massive media attention. There have been Dateline, 48 Hours, and People Magazine Investigates documentaries. The case has been the subject of podcasts, social media reels,

Dale Warner on Day 5 of Jury Selection. Photo by Tracy Stengel. Jury selection in the Dale Warner trial in Lenawee County Circuit Court is taking longer than planned. Therefore, the trial will be delayed until at least February 11, 2026. Opening statements were scheduled to begin February 10, 2026. Dale was charged in November 2023 with open murder and tampering with evidence in the death of his wife, Dee Ann Warner. The jury selection for this case has two parts. The first

Dee Ann Warner. Photo courtesy of Parker Hardy. Today was the third day of jury selection for Dale Warner’s trial. Dale is charged with open murder and tampering with evidence in the death of his wife Dee Ann Warner. Dee disappeared from her Tecumseh, Michigan farm April 25, 2021. The night before, she had planned to tell Dale she wanted a divorce. Dale claimed to have found Dee’s large diamond wedding ring on his desk – which he claimed was a sure sign she left him. Very ear

Dale Warner in court today. Photo by Tracy Stengel Dale Warner was back in Lenawee County Circuit Court for the second day of jury selection in preparation for his looming murder trial expected to begin February 10, 2026. Dale is charged with open murder and tampering with evidence in the death of his wife, Dee Ann Warner. Yesterday, Mary Chartier, Dale’s defense attorney argued that Justice for Dee Facebook members were advocates for Dee and the group largely believed Dale w

Dale Warner in court today. Photo by Tracy Stengel. Today, jury selection began in Lenawee County Circuit Court for Dale Warner who is charged with open murder and tampering with evidence in the death of his wife, Dee Ann Warner . Prosecutor Jacqueline Wyse announced that she had spoken with Dee’s four adult children and had offered Dale a plea deal for second degree murder and tampering with evidence. Dale declined the offer and opted to proceed with the trial. His attorney,

Dee Ann Warner. Photo courtesy of Parker Hardy. Dale Warner appeared in Lenawee County Circuit Court via Zoom for a motion hearing this morning. Dale was charged with open murder of his wife and tampering with evidence in November 2023. In August 2024, Dee Warner’s body was found in an anhydrous ammonia tank on land owned by the Warners. Dale currently resides in Lenawee County Jail on a $15M bond awaiting his trial which is expected to begin at the end of January. The def