CENTREVILLE, MI (WTVB/WNWN) – A St. Joseph County murder case has been remanded back to District Court for a preliminary hearing.
St. Joseph County Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman agreed with a defense motion during a hearing on Thursday that a previous attorney did not properly represent 35-year-old Michael Lafler which led to the defendant waiving a district court preliminary examination.
During a preliminary exam in the State of Michigan, the presiding judge decides whether or not the prosecution has met their burden of proof. If the judge feels the burden of proof has been met, the case is then assigned to that county’s Circuit Court.
Lafler is charged with murder in the October 15, 2021 strangulation death of 33-year-old Chelsea Wallen in her Colon home. Lafler was Wallen’s boyfriend at the time of her death.
Bond has been set at $1 million bond.
Wallen attended Colon High School and resided in Colon her entire life. She worked as a manager at Countryside Quality Meats in Union City.
Comments