On Thursday, the preliminary examination of Dale Warner, a Lenawee County man accused of murdering his wife Dee, took a turn as business finances took center stage. The judge will review the proceedings from the preliminary hearing to determine if the case will proceed to trial. The first day of the pre-trial on Wednesday focused on testimony about Dale and Dee Warner’s relationship, while Thursday delved into their businesses, finances, and what Dee’s son, Zack Bock, observed while keeping the books for the business.
Dee and her son had discussed finances just before she disappeared. Some of the businesses were solely under Dee’s name, and she was setting up future plans for them. Bock mentioned that Dee texted him the day before she disappeared, stating “I’m done with this, I’m signing everything over to you, I’m done with it.” He clarified that Dee intended to transfer her share of the businesses to him. When asked if this meant he would become the sole owner of the trucking businesses, Bock confirmed that this would have been the case.
Bock testified at length on Thursday about the financial difficulties faced by some of their businesses, including their farming business which was losing money. He mentioned that money had to be transferred from certain businesses and it was often a challenge to meet payroll. Despite being cross-examined by defense attorneys who questioned his motives for testifying against his uncle, Bock stated that he had no information about what happened to his mother who was last seen in April 2021. Even though Dee’s body was never found prosecutors moved forward with murder charges against her husband.
The case is scheduled to continue with more testimony on Friday
