Man Accused In Couple's Slaying Ordered To Stand Trial
PORT HURON (WWJ/AP) - A paroled ex-convict accused of rape, torture and murder in the deaths of a Michigan couple has been ordered to stand trial.
The Times Herald of Port Huron reports a preliminary exam was held Friday and a judge determined there's enough evidence for 32-year-old Manuel Gamez of Port Huron to stand trial.
Three witnesses testified during the evidentiary hearing in front of Judge Cynthia Platzer.
Gamez was charged with two open counts of murder, two counts of torture and one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. Open murder charge means a defendant faces either a first- or a second-degree murder charge.
The bodies of 29-year-old Daniel W. McRoberts and 26-year-old Michelle R. Ichenberg were found on July 30 at around 7:30 p.m. in their home at the Gratiot Village apartment complex in the 1400 block of Riverview Street near 10th Avenue, just north of the Blue Water Bridge toll road.
According to Daniel Spitz, the county medical examiner, autopsies showed McRoberts was stabbed and Ichenberg was strangled.
A Port Huron police officer testified that, after changing his story several times, Gamez admitted to the killings during an interview following his arrest on Aug. 1.
A judge in December ruled Gamez competent for trial. Gamez next court date wasn't immediately set.
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