Sunday, August 9, 2015

Custodial dad, step to go to trial for torture murder of 5-year-old daughter (Port Huron, Michigan)

We've posted on this case before.

Dad is identified as ANDREW MAISON.

http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2015/07/21/mackenzie-maison-dad-stepmom-trial/30484413/

November trial for dad, stepmom charged in girl's death

Beth LeBlanc, Times Herald 6:38 p.m. EDT July 21, 2015

A Port Huron couple charged in the death of 5-year-old Mackenzie Maison will go to trial in November.

The trial for Hilery Maison, 27, and Andrew Maison, 25, has been scheduled for Nov. 3, according to online court records.

A final plea hearing for both is scheduled for Oct. 26.

On Monday, Circuit Judge Daniel Kelly said the trial would be scheduled out further than usual to handle any anticipated issues that may come up in the case.

Lawyers for Hilery and Andrew Maison said they hadn't yet received an autopsy report in Mackenzie's death.

Frederick Lepley, lawyer for Andrew Maison, said he may be filing motions, including ones for expert witnesses and separate trials.

Hilery and Andrew Maison — Mackenzie's stepmother and father — face charges of murder, two counts of torture and two counts of first-degree child abuse in the death of Mackenzie and the alleged abuse of her 3-year-old sister, Makayla.

Police were called to the Maisons' Oak Street home about 8:30 p.m. May 26.

Mackenzie was found unresponsive at the home and declared dead at the hospital.

Police have said the 5-year-old was malnourished, dehydrated, and had pneumonia. She weighed 25 pounds.

Her 3-year-old sister, Makayla, was taken to the hospital for treatment of malnourishment. She weighed about 17 pounds.