Almont woman dies from injuries in Capac fight
PORT HURON — Details of an alleged attack came out in a St. Clair County District Courtroom Tuesday morning as part of the beginning phase of court proceedings in an open murder case.
44-year-old Winona “Tegan” Day passed away at McLaren Lapeer Regional Hospital on June 8, two days after an alleged attack in her Capac home.
After hearing testimony from prosecution witnesses, that included St. Clair County Sheriff Department detectives, deputies and the owner of the home where the attack took place, District Judge John D. Monaghan said there had been enough evidence provided to move the case on and ruled it to be bound over to Circuit Court for further action.
The open murder charge remains in place at this time, although it could be changed at a later date.
Emergency responders and deputies from the St. Clair County Sheriff Department responded to a home in the 400 block of S. Main St. in Capac June 6 around 4 a.m., following a 911 call saying there was an unconscious person on the floor.
Tuesday morning, Raquelle Casillas, 44 years old, of Mussey Township, appeared in court as the defendant, shackled in handcuffs chained to her torso and ankle cuffs. She was led to the defendant’s table by court bailiffs.
Detectives testified as to evidence and interviews collected at the scene, including photographs of the victim lying on a bedroom floor.
Detective Kelsey Wade, an expert in examining cellular devices for forensics, said she was able to retrieve numerous pictures taken on two different cameras.
Detective Edward Silver said he had responded to the scene, interviewed both Casillas and the homeowner, 44-year-old Adam Duquette, about the incident.
After questioning one of the responding deputies, St. Clair County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Paul Soderberg called Duquette to the stand.
The homeowner spent the next half hour detailing a three-way relationship between himself, Casillas and “Tegan” Day, saying all three shared the same bed and enjoyed drinking together.
Duquette stated he was the one who made the 911 call, after failed attempts to wake up an unconscious Day, shaking her while she laid on a bed. He said, “she was snoring really bad, like not a normal snore and I knew something was wrong.”
During the preliminary examination Tuesday morning, details of a fight and ongoing physical attacks between the two women was revealed. The fights were allegedly over jealousy of Duquette.
At one point, during a break in the hearing Tuesday, Duquette was observed mouthing the words “I love you” to Casillas.
A more detailed report on the hearing will be published in next weeks Tri-City Times.
