Trial Date Set In Death Of Elderly Royal Oak Woman
PONTIAC (WWJ/AP) - A trial is scheduled for August for two people in the killing of an 80-year-old Royal Oak woman at her home.
Alan Wood and Tonia Watson are charged with first-degree murder in the death of Nancy Dailey on November 20.
Dailey was found bound to a chair with her throat slit after prosecutors say she hired Watson and Wood to do some yard work.
The 40-year-old Tonia Watson and 48-year-old Allan Wood, both parole violators, were arrested two days later in Wayne County Canton Township, where police say they attempted to use one of Dailey's bank cards at an ATM.
On Wednesday, a trial date of Aug. 24 was scheduled for Oakland County Circuit Court. They'll get separate juries that will be selected before that date.
A July trial earlier had been planned.
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.
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).
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