Royal Oak Murder Trial Set For Summer
ROYAL OAK (WWJ) - A trial date has been set for two people charged in last fall's brutal murder of an elderly woman in her Royal Oak home.
The 40-year-old Tonia Watson and 48-year-old Allan Wood, both parole violators, were ordered back to jail to await trail this summer for the November 2011 death of 80-year-old Nancy Dailey.
During Tuesday's arraignment before Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Colleen O'Brien, Watson and Woods stood mute as pleas of not guilty were entered on their behalf to charges of first degree murder and lesser charges including using Dailey's credit cards after her death.
Although a defense attorney for Wood has said there is no evidence, a Michigan State Police Crime Lab supervisor said that there is a likely match between DNA found on a scarf used to bind the victim's arms, DNA found in fingernail clippings from Wood and DNA on Wood's clothing.
Dailey was found bound to a chair with her throat slit after prosecutors say she hired Watson and Wood to do some yard work.
It was a crime that stirred fear and uncertainty in a community where many had felt safe, prompting a call for a "No Knock" list that would prevent strangers from coming to residents' doors. (More on this here).
Both Watson and Wood, who have prior criminal convictions, were on parole and were suspected of committing new crimes ahead of the slaying in Royal Oak. Some have questioned why they were free.
The trail is set to begin July 23.
