Lapeer Judge Orders Trial On Murder Charges In Dog Mauling

District Court Judge Laura Cheger Barnard has ordered the couple accused of being responsible for the dog mauling death of Craig Sytsma be bound over  for arraignment on charges of second degree murder. Sebastiano Quagliata and Valbonaj Lucaj will be the first people ever tried for second-degree murder in Michigan in connection with a dog attack.

Conviction on the murder charge could get them life in prison. They will be arraigned in front of Chief Judge Nick O. Holowka on September 22nd. Meanwhile the couple remain in the Lapeer County Jail. Bail was continued at $500,000.

Judge Barnard heard testimony from Lapeer County Sheriff's Department Detective/Sgt. Jason parks and Lapeer County Animal Control Chief Carla Franz.

Franz testified that that she told the couple the first time she was at their home that the kennel was inadequate for holding Cane Corso dogs. The kennel was described as makeshift. Testimony made it clear that the dogs has escaped numerous times.