Crime & Safety

Jury Selection Date Set in Nancy Dailey Murder Case

Alan Wood is one of two defendants facing murder charges for allegedly slaying an 80-year-old woman in her Royal Oak home more than a year ago.

Jury selection will begin in Oakland County Circuit Court on January 8 at 1:30 p.m. for a parole absconder accused of slaying of an 80-year-old woman in her Royal Oak home more than a year ago, reports the Detroit Free Press.

After completing DNA testimony in 44th District Court in Royal Oak in March, Judge Terrence Brennan said he was satisfied prosecutors established probable cause to try  and  in the robbery, brutal beating and killing of Nancy Dailey in her Trafford Road home on Nov. 20, 2011.

Wood is charged with premeditated first-degree murder and felony murder while Watson is charged with felony murder, both of which carry a mandatory life imprisonment penalty. In addition, Watson and Wood are charged with larceny in a building and unauthorized use of a financial transaction device.

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Watson is scheduled to appear in Oakland County Circuit Court next on Dec. 12 when Judge Colleen O’Brien will listen to arguments as to whether or not the woman's confession to Royal Oak police after her arrest was coerced.

In earlier testimony, Det. Perry Edgell testified Watson told him Wood grabbed Dailey by the hair, threw her to the floor and tried to break her neck. She told the detective she walked away when Wood opened a 7-inch pocketknife.

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Watson's interview with Edgell may only be used to implicate her. It cannot be used against Wood, because the pair are co-defendants.

Watson and Wood will be tried together but will have separate juries.


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