Delayed Justice

Another long-time-in-coming result…this time in the August 5, 2006 murder of Renee Pagel.

Her husband, Michael was arrested in February and charged in masterminding the murder of his wife.

Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker and Sheriff Michelle Lajoye-Young, released a joint statement that read, in part: “It is gratifying to see him finally accept some responsibility for her murder for which he has been a suspect since the very beginning. The children of Michael and Renee were consulted before considering a plea offer, and we decided on this course of action based on their response and approval.”

A trial, they noted, would have been “extraordinarily difficult for this family.”

Michael Pagel alleges in his guilty plea that he convinced his brother to kill Renee, stabbing her to death in the couples’ Courtland Township home.

Investigators are not so sure about the brothers involvement. The statement continued:

“We were aware of the possibility that Michael Pagel may implicate others in the actual murder when he gave a factual basis for his plea. At this time, it is important to note that we are not aware of any independent evidence that can corroborate the statements Mr. Pagel made today.

“If Mr. Pagel wants to provide his version of events to the investigative team, they will listen to him, and follow up if he has any evidence to support his claim. This (prosecuting attorney) office and the Kent County Sheriff’s Department are committed to holding any person involved in Renee’s murder responsible for their actions. The statement of a defendant alone, with nothing more to support his version of events, is not enough by itself to charge anyone, with any crime. Without any supporting evidence, it is merely a statement of a man perhaps trying to save face in admitting his guilt in the murder of his wife, and should be treated as such.”