– Murder prelims postponed
– New discovery delays Murder prelims.
Accident – Death – Obituary News : CADILLAC — A LeRoy man and Luther woman are facing charges in connection with the murder of a 55-year-old Cadillac man, as their preliminary hearing was adjourned in 84th District Court on Friday.
Wexford County Prosecutor Corey Wiggins stated that the preliminary hearings for Michael Peter Hayes and Katelynne Jonelle Hendricks were postponed due to the late receipt of some evidence/discovery that needed to be reviewed before the hearing. While Hayes and Hendricks were initially scheduled for a joint preliminary hearing, Wiggins announced that they will now be separated moving forward, although he could not provide further details due to ethical rules of the court.
It is anticipated that it will be a few weeks before the preliminary hearings are rescheduled, as they had not been set as of Friday afternoon. Hayes faces charges of first-degree murder/homicide, felony firearms, dead body disinterment/mutilation, and concealing the death of an individual. If convicted of the first-degree murder/homicide offense, Hayes could potentially face life imprisonment, along with additional prison time for the other charges.
Hendricks, on the other hand, has been charged with accessory after the fact to a felony and concealing the death of an individual. If found guilty, she could face up to five years in prison and fines. It is important to note that the charges against both individuals are merely accusations and do not constitute evidence of guilt.
The investigation into the murder began when police were alerted to the disappearance of the victim, Michael Hague, on February 20. Subsequent searches of his property led to the discovery of burnt wood, clothing remnants, and human flesh, ultimately identifying the remains as Hague’s. An autopsy conducted at the Western Michigan University Department of Pathology confirmed that Hague’s death was a result of homicide.
Hayes and Hendricks, who were staying with Hague before his disappearance, were identified as suspects early on in the investigation. Both individuals were already in custody on unrelated charges when the murder investigation was announced. The exact details of the case, including the exact location of the crime scene, have not been disclosed by police.
As the legal proceedings continue, Hayes and Hendricks remain innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The burden of proof lies with the prosecution to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing case..
1. Murder prelims adjourned after new discovery
2. Murder prelims adjourned due to new discovery.
