Testimony focuses on business finances in pre-trial for man accused of killing wife

ADRIAN, Mich. (WTVG) – Business finances were at the heart of Thursday’s testimony in the preliminary examination of Dale Warner, a Lenawee County man accused of killing his wife, Dee, who disappeared in April of 2021.

The judge will consider the proceedings from the preliminary hearing to determine whether the case will eventually move forward to trial.

The first day of the pre-trial on Wednesday heard testimony about Dale and Dee Warner’s relationship. Thursday focused more on their businesses, finances and what Dee’s son saw when he kept the books for the business.

Zack Bock, Dee’s son, was on the stand for most of the proceedings Thursday. He testified about how some businesses, like their farming business, were losing lots of money. He said money had to be transferred from some businesses and it was often difficult to make payroll.

As he was cross examined, he said he had no knowledge of what happened to his mother who was last seen in April of 2021.

While Dee’s body was never found, prosecutors have still gone forward with murder charges against her husband.

Dee and her son talked about finances just before she disappeared. Some of the businesses were in just Dee’s name and she was making future plans for them.

“The day before she went missing, she sent me a text message that ‘I’m done with this, I’m signing everything over to you, I’m done with it,” Bock said.

He clarified that Dee was referring to her portion of the businesses. Bock was asked if that meant that he would then be the sole owner of the trucking businesses, and Bock confirmed that would’ve been the case.

This case will be back Friday for more testimony. If the testimony doesn’t finish, June 6 is the next scheduled date for testimony.

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