Testimony: Man Killed Sister To Keep Incest Under Wraps
HOLLAND (WWJ/AP) - A West Michigan man charged with fatally shooting his sister and brother-in-law in 1987 has been ordered to stand trial.
Ryan Wyngarden, 50, of Zeeland was charged with murder in the deaths of 22-year-old Gail Brink and her husband, Rick Brink, 28.
Wyngarden's wife testified Wednesday that he told her he killed the couple, in part, because he didn't want his sister to reveal they had a sexual relationship as teenagers.
A judge in Holland District Court made the decision Thursday following testimony that began Wednesday in the case. Defense attorney David Hall said some testimony came across as hearsay.
Gail Brink was killed in her bed, while her husband was found dead in his Chevy Blazer in the driveway at the couple's home in Park Township, about 35 miles southwest of Grand Rapids.
Wyngarden, who was charged in January,Wyngarden spoke highly of the couple during an interview with the Holland Sentinel following the murders. "They were the nicest people in the world. I've never seen a couple get along better than they did," Wyngarden told the newspaper in 1987.
Wyngarden remains jailed, due in Circuit Court on March 11.
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