Just checked the court site - down for maintenance..... so can't double check to see if this is still a go.
Monday, Nov. 5th:
*Sentencing (@ 9am ET) – MI – Sheila Bonge (59) (Dec. 26, 2017, Crockery Township) – Wendell Earl Popejoy (63) charged with “open murder” & using a firearm in commission of a felony. Plead not guilty. No bond; confessed to shooting.
Trial was to start June 5-6, 2018 by Judge. Ware retained a new attorney, trial delayed.
2/5/18 Update: Judge entered “not guilty plea”. Defendant retains new attorney, trial delayed.
9/21/18 Update: Walker hearing today 9/21 – Judge Miedema. Walker hearing: an evidentiary hearing to determine the voluntariness of the defendant’s statement; common allegations are the defendant was coerced, drunk, intimidated, retarded, etc.
9/21/18 Update: Trial starts 10/9.
10/9/18 Update Day 1: Jury Selected. Opening statements. State witnesses: Mark Meurer (neighbor) & Beth Meurer (neighbor) & Wayne Holman (fiancé). DA Frantz told jurors there would be 20 witnesses for the prosecution & that they would listen to several versions of Popejoy’s confession. Judge Karen Miedema said it was likely the trial could extend into next week. Popejoy is charged with open murder, so the jury could convict him of either first- or second-degree murder.
10/10/18 Update Day 2: State witnesses: Forensic pathologist Dr. David Start. Detective Steve McCarthy (now retired). Detective Michael Tamminga. On Thursday (10/11), jurors will listen to the rest of the audio recording of Popejoy’s second interview before proceeding to the next witness.
10/11/18 Update Day 3: State Witnesses: Rhonda Clark, Popejoy’s girlfriend. Forensic scientist Troy Ernst. Forensic scientist Katherine Meredith. Jurors viewed Popejoy's & Clark's LE interviews. Trial is expected to continue into next week. Trial continues to 10/12.
10/12/18 Update Day 4: State played video recording of a police interview (6 hours) - where he asked for a piece of paper & confessed, in writing, to Sheila Bonge's slaying. Trial is expected to continue Monday morning (10/15) with the last of the five Popejoy interviews before being turned over to the defense for possible witnesses. Defense attorney Jeffrey Kortes would not say whether or not his client would take the stand.
10/15/18 Update Day 5: Closing arguments. Jury deliberated & found him guilty of 1st degree murder. Sentenced on 11/5.