Trial Date Set For Man In Slayings Of Wife, 2 Children

EASTPOINTE, Mich. (WWJ/AP) - A Detroit-area man faces a January trial in the strangulation of his wife, their 2-year-old daughter and their 8-year-old son at their Eastpointe home.

A Macomb County Circuit judge set a Jan. 12 pretrial and Jan. 26 trial for Timothy Fradeneck during a hearing Tuesday.

Timothy Fradeneck is charged with murder and child abuse.

Police say a USB cord was used April 13 to kill 37-year-old Christine Fradeneck, daughter Celeste and son Timothy.

Investigators say Timothy Fradeneck told them he planned to kill himself as well but failed. They report Fradeneck said he wanted his family dead "to spare them the heartache" of his death.

The Detroit Free Press reports that a state report has indicated Fradeneck is mentally ill but not insane. An independent mental exam is pending.

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