On Thursday, the preliminary examination of Dale Warner, a Lenawee County man accused of killing his wife, Dee Warner, focused on their businesses and finances. Dee disappeared in April of 2021 and the judge will use the information from the preliminary hearing to decide if the case will proceed to trial.
The first day of the pre-trial hearing focused on the relationship between Dale and Dee. However, on Thursday, testimony delved into their businesses and finances. Zack Bock, Dee’s son, spent most of Thursday on the stand providing insight into their financial situation. He revealed that some of their businesses were facing significant losses and that money had to be shifted between businesses to meet payroll. Despite extensive cross-examination, Bock maintained that he had no knowledge of his mother’s disappearance in April of 2021.
Prosecutors have brought forth murder charges against Dee’s husband despite her body never being found. The day before she went missing, Dee had discussed finances with her son particularly regarding businesses that were solely in her name. In a text message sent the day before she disappeared, Dee expressed her intention to transfer ownership of these businesses to her son which meant that he would become the sole owner of the trucking businesses in question.
The case will continue with more testimony on Friday and June 6 is set as the next scheduled date if proceedings are not concluded. This ongoing investigation involves both the disappearance of Dee Warner and financial intricacies surrounding the case.