Teacher Accused Of Fatally Stabbing Estranged Wife Pleads Not Guilty
LOS ANGELES (CBS/AP) — A Los Angeles elementary school teacher accused in the weekend stabbing of his estranged wife has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Prosecutors announced Wednesday that 46-year-old Michael Rodney Kane is charged with one count of murder, one count of first-degree burglary with a person present, one count of assault with a deadly weapon and one count of making criminal threats.
Kane was arraigned in the Superior Court's Van Nuys branch. He was ordered to return to court July 9 and is being held without bail.
Authorities say he confronted his wife, Michelle Kane, at a home in West Hills on Saturday, chased her outside and stabbed her multiple times. A man who tried to protect her was also stabbed.
In court Wednesday, Kane waived his right to a formal arraignment.
He was also seated in a wheelchair throughout his brief court appearance.
CBS2's Serene Branson spoke to Kane's attorney, who said he could not elaborate why his client was in the wheelchair.
"That will all be evident when this case is presented in court as to why he is in the wheelchair," Stewart Farber said.
Several of Michelle Kane's loved ones also attended the hearing Wednesday, but Branson said none of them wished to discuss the case.
If convicted, Kane faces up to life in prison.
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