CENTREVILLE, MI (WTVB) – A man who was charged in connection with the death of his girl friend in October of 2021 was ordered to serve between 86 months and 15 years in prison on Friday in St. Joseph County Circuit Court.
36-year-old Michael Lafler entered no contest pleas to charges of involuntary manslaughter and assault with intent to do great bodily harm in connection with the strangulation death of his 33-year-old girlfriend Chelsea Wallen in her Colon home.
In exchange for his pleas, prosecutors agreed to dismiss an open murder charge. The plea agreement was filed after there were numerous delays and legal wrangling in the case.
The case was in the St. Joseph County Circuit Court system since December of 2021. The trial date was changed three times after the case was bound over from District Court.
At one point, Judge Paul Stutesman agreed with a defense motion that a previous attorney did not properly represent Lafler which led to the defendant waiving a district court preliminary examination.
Colon Police Sgt. Joel Herr, who investigated the death, testified during a rescheduled preliminary examination there was an argument and a physical altercation between the two in Wallen’s home.
Wallen’s death led to an outcry in St. Joseph and Branch Counties. Signs in support of her were seen throughout the area.
Many angry residents took to social media to blast the plea agreement and the justice system as a whole.
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