Michigan Criminal Lawyers Blog
Earlier this year we reported about a Pittsfield Township man who was accused of stabbing his wife to death in the couple’s home. Now, 44-year-old Jean-Pierre Trias is scheduled to face trial on a single charge of open murder in July, according to court records. Trias allegedly stabbed 53-year-old Katherine Porter in January; she was found in a bathroom at the couple’s Hickory Pointe Boulevard home with bruises and multiple stab wounds according to a news article at AnnArbor.com.
The couple had been married since 1995, and had reconciled after Trias filed for divorce in November of 2010. According to news articles there had been no known incidents in the couple’s relationship which indicated domestic violence. Trias worked in the mathematics department at EMU from September of 2003 until December 2012, and as a graduate assistant as well.
It was revealed at his preliminary exam that Trias phoned his brother early in the day following the alleged stabbing, claiming that he blacked out the previous evening. Trias told his brother that upon awakening, he had facial injuries and wasn’t sure if he hurt anyone. Porter’s body was found by Pittsfield Township police officers who had gone to the residence to check on Trias.
Trias attended a pretrial hearing last week which is when the dates were set for his final pretrial hearing and trial, scheduled for June 18 and July 15 respectively. The defendant currently remains held without bond in the Washtenaw County Jail. He could face a maximum of life in prison if convicted of his wife’s murder.
Michigan murder attorneys know that individuals who are accused of homicide, manslaughter, or first- or second-degree murder must have aggressive, capable legal representation in order to obtain a positive outcome. The criminal penalties for these types of violent crimes in the state of Michigan are harsh, and could leave you facing life behind bars.
If you or someone you know has been arrested and charged with open murder or any serious crime, contact a highly respected Michigan criminal defense lawyer immediately so that work can begin to protect your freedom, reputation, and future.