Joel Smith has been charged with the murder of his wife Angela Smith

ROSE CITY, MI (WNEM) – A man has been charged with second-degree murder after allegedly killing his wife, according to Ogemaw County Prosecutor LaDonna A. Schultz.

Schultz made the announcement on December 11.

Joel Dean Smith was indicted and charged with first-degree murder in the slaying of his wife, Angela Renee Smith, Schultz said.

On Dec. 8, the Ogemaw County Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement agencies responded to a report of a homicide at the couple’s home, Schultz said, adding that police immediately took Joel Dean Smith into custody.

Previous coverage: Sheriff’s office: Woman killed in stabbing in Ogemaw Co

When officers arrived, they found a 54-year-old woman suffering from knife and stab wounds, the sheriff’s office said. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The complaint contains charges only and is not evidence of the suspect’s guilt, Shultz said, adding that Joel Dean Smith is innocent until proven guilty and is entitled to a fair trial.

He was arraigned on December 9 and denied bail.

He was given a date of December 19 for a preliminary examination at 9:00 a.m., but it was scheduled for December 26 at 9:30 a.m.

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