By JAMES MITCHELL
Sunday Times Newspapers
LINCOLN PARK — A 43-year-old man may face life in prison for the February murder of his sister.
Gerald Eugene Dennis Jr. was bound over to circuit court Tuesday by 25th District Court Judge David Zelenak. A Tuesday arraignment on first-degree murder is expected in Wayne County after Dennis was declared competent to stand trial and participate in his own defense.
Lincoln Park police arrested Dennis after the Feb. 28 murder of Deborah Siefert, with whom he lived in the 1500 block of College Avenue. Siefert was found in the home early morning, unresponsive, and was transported to Oakwood Hospital and Medical Center where she died.
Investigators believe that Dennis, who suffered from a history of mental illness and drug abuse, beat Siefert to death with a jack handle.
Dennis was first arraigned in district court in March, and competency evaluations were conducted to include an independent examination requested by defense counsel.
Dennis remained in custody without bond.
(James Mitchell can be reached at [email protected])