LENAWEE COUNTY, MI (WTVB) – The murder trial of Dale Warner is officially underway in Lenawee County, nearly five years after his wife, Dee Warner, first vanished.
The 57-old Warner, began the proceedings by unequivocally rejecting a last-minute plea deal from the prosecution. The rejected offer would have allowed him to plead guilty to a reduced charge of second-degree murder and tampering with evidence.
Following his refusal, the court transitioned immediately into jury selection, a process expected to take up to two weeks due to the high-profile nature of the case and the extensive local media coverage.
The case centers on the April 2021 disappearance of Dee Warner, whose remains were finally discovered in August 2024 hidden inside a sealed anhydrous ammonia tank on property owned by her husband.
The court faced significant challenges in seating an impartial panel; many potential jurors were dismissed after admitting they already believed Dale Warner was guilty. Others were disqualified for their membership in the “Justice for Dee” Facebook group, an advocacy page that has grown to over 23,000 members.
Opening statements are tentatively scheduled to begin on February 10, marking the start of a trial expected to last several weeks.
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