VERDICT WATCH MI - Dee Ann Warner, 52, last seen @ home, Tecumseh, 25 Apr 2021

[Megnut]

Are they deliberating now? A see people, but no audio.

I'm reviewing the Defense closing argument.

I believe the judge was going to give final instructions first.

 

[Vaderman]

The deliberations have begun! My prediction is no later than tomorrow afternoon.

 

[Megnut]

I'm still catching up on the Defense's closing argument.

Her minimizing DaleW's stalking is gross. She even justified it because Dee was actually having an affair so he wasn't wrong.

And that many of the surveillance caves were large and not hidden. Doesn't matter. He has concealed one/s.

Then she says that some of his checks of OnStar, the vehicle hadn't moved, so I guess we don't count them separately?

Not a convincing argument, at any point.

JMO

 

[Vaderman]

Haven't heard if the jury went home for the evening. Earlier, the judge said something about letting them go until 5:30-6:00 (I think). The feed I was watching cut awhile ago, but no news updates yet.

 

[Vaderman]

They have gone home for the day:

Jury deliberations begin in Dale Warner murder trial

Dale Warner is accused of killing his wife, Dee Warner, in 2021. Prosecutors allege he sealed her body in a fertilizer tank in a coverup.

www.13abc.com

Jurors went home for the evening on Thursday. The earliest a verdict could come in as now Friday

 

[Chelly]

DAY 13 - Live Stream
Verdict Watch - March 6, 2026

 

[Megnut]

Juror has a medical issue.

Calling back alternates.

Live in the courtroom

 

[Megnut]

Why are the alternates ever dismissed, prior to verdict?????

 

[Vaderman]

Why are the alternates ever dismissed, prior to verdict?????

It really doesn't make sense. I was an alternate juror the other year. I had to stay until deliberations began (I chose to stay because I was invested by then) but one of the seated jurors was a younger "kid" who showed up late on our second day. It does seem risky.

 

[Megnut]

Judge is pling each of the three alternates separately.

1st alternate juror didn't watch any media but did talk with wife and stepson. About his feelings as a jury and as to verdict. Defense asked a few follow up questions.

If this goes the way if mistrial, that's judicial error.

Alternates should not be dismissed until conclusion of the trial.

JMO

 

[Megnut]

2nd alternate juror tried to watch a youtube video but it was just the logo.

Talked to his wife. Both discussed opinions of the case.

Defense asking questions. Length of the conversation -- 15-20 minutes.

 

[Megnut]

I predict that the Defense will call for a mistrial.

Judge did ask this alternate if he could still be impartial. Yes.

JMO

 

[Vaderman]

I predict that the Defense will call for a mistrial.

I believe so, too. I was also surprised they name dropped the juror's last name.

 

[Vaderman]

Next juror also watched the news and talked to his wife about his thoughts on the case.

 

[Megnut]

3rd alternate juror watched the nightly news, that they were in verdict watch.

Talked to his wife and son.

He told them how he felt about the case.

Defense asks what news station. Channel 11.

Brief conversation with wife. He repeatedly told his wife he couldn't answer, until last night. 5 minutes he says because is wife was on TikTok, not listening. She's learned to tune me out.

He is hilarious!

Son asked if he was in order out as a jury.

Talked to his wife about his experience as a juror, something he didn't want to do again.

Said he had an opinion on the verdict.

Said he could be impartial.

 

[Megnut]

I believe so, too. I was also surprised they name dropped the juror's last name.

You're right! I didn't even realize it!

I'm shocked none of them binged news.

Shows they had to decompress.

The trial shouldn't be tossed. None of these alternates was inspired to do a deep dive into news.

Much as the Defense will try to make a capital case for mistrial.

JMO

 

[Megnut]

Recess to give Counsel time before proceeding

 

[Megnut]

The good news, deliberating barely started. So starting fresh with an alternate won't be hard.

All three indicated they had opinions -- unstated -- but I think we can all imagine what those opinions are. But that's not because they weren't impartial or had consumed information outside of the courtroom. It just means that the State was effective.

This will be revisited at appeal if this goes forward to trial.

But even if a juror had done the above during trial, IMO it wouldn't rise to immediate dismissal of the juror.

Very curious to see how the judge handles this.

Dismissing the alternates was a mistake. Don't know if that was the judge's error/discretion or the policy in that jurisdiction. Either way, it's bad form for this very reason.

JMO

 

[Vaderman]

The good news, deliberationing barely started. So starting fresh with an alternate won't be hard.

All three indicated they had opinions -- unstated -- but I think we can all imagine what those opinions are. But that's not because they weren't impartial or had consumed information outside of the courtroom. It just means that the State was effective.

This will be revisited at appeal if this goes forward to trial.

But even if a juror had done the above during trial, IMO it wouldn't rise to immediate dismissal of the juror.

Very curious to see how the judge handles this.

Dismissing the alternates was a mistake. Don't know if that was the judge's error/discretion or the policy in that jurisdiction. Either way, it's bad form for this very reason.

JMO

I hope they end up seating the funny alternate. He seemed genuine.

I am curious how they decide on who to seat. Draw names from a hat? A vote between attorneys and judge? Judge's discretion?

 

[Vaderman]

Apparently they'll chose by drawing names:

Jury sent home in Dale Warner murder trial, to return on Tuesday

Dale Warner, 58, is charged with murder and tampering with evidence in the death of his wife, Dee, in Lenawee County.

www.wtol.com

The judge said the court has called back three of the four alternates and will ask whether they saw any news coverage or social media posts, or had conversations about the case, after being dismissed on Thursday.

The court said the alternates will be placed into a drawing and one name will be drawn to serve as a replacement.