Can Justice for Dee Members Be Jurors on Dale Warner's Trial?

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 was guilty. She asked for the judge to rule that being a member would be a cause for dismissal.

Today, Judge Olsaver ruled that a potential juror questioned yesterday could be dismissed with cause since she is a member of the Justice for Dee Facebook page. Judge Olsaver noted it was a very active group that gave frequent updates on the case, even while court was in session.

Judge Olsaver did not go as far as saying that any and all Justice for Dee member would be dismissed. Today, a woman was dismissed immediately after saying she was a member. However, another woman who was a member was asked additional questions but was ultimately eliminated from the pool.

Some people aren't sure if they are a member or not. Mary's Chartier team checks the member list on the Justice for Dee Facebook page to verify which, if any, potential jurors are members.

In the jury selection process, potential jurors are summoned in groups of approximately 50 people. Each group is brought into the courtroom, and the public is asked to step out. Judge Olsaver gives them juror instructions and then they are all sworn in so that when they are questioned, they are under oath. Then they are led to a back room.

One by one, they are called back into the courtroom and questioned individually. Because the jury pool for this case is much larger than normal due to the enormity of media attention, the process is going to be in two stages. Potential jurors are either dismissed or may be called back for a second round of questioning.

So far there have been 55 potential jurors questioned – 28 yesterday and 27 today. Twenty-four were women and 31 were men. There have been 17 women dismissed and 15 men dismissed.  

For more information on this case, you can start here. For updates, join the Justice for Dee Facebook page.