Bond continued following preliminary examination in murder case

After several hours of preliminary examination testimony Thursday in the open murder case against Michael Lafler, St. Joseph County prosecutor David Marvin asked Lafler be bound over for trial.

Judge Jeff Middleton continued the $1 million bond for Lafler in the death of Chelsea Wallen, 33, during an incident Oct. 15 in her Colon home.

Kalamazoo defense attorney Anastase Markou questioned forensic pathologist Amanda Fisher-Hubbard regarding her autopsy. He also questioned her conclusion that Wallen died from strangulation and asphyxiation, lack of oxygen in the brain, to cause her death.

Markou brought out testimony there was no testing to determine lack of oxygen in the brain.

Toxicology reports showed Wallen’s blood alcohol at .135 percent.

St. Joseph Circuit Judge Paul Stutesman had remanded the case back to district court for a preliminary examination at the request of Lafler’s new attorneys, Markou and Randall Levine.