Defendant’s bail reduced in dog-trainer slaying case
Skagit Valley Herald
November 25, 2009 - 11:55 AM

Scott Terrell

Murder defendant Michiel Glen Oakes of Kennewick appeared in Skagit County Superior Court on Wednesday for a bail reduction hearing.
MOUNT VERNON — A judge this morning cut in half the $5 million bail of a 41-year-old man accused of planning and carrying out the murder of an elite Anacortes dog trainer.

The dog trainer, Mark Stover, has not been found, though friends and family are grieving his death.

Meanwhile Michiel Glen Oakes of Kennewick, Stover’s ex-wife’s new boyfriend, is being held in the Skagit County Jail, charged with first-degree premeditated murder.

After a hearing during which Oakes’ lawyers touted the man’s good qualities, such as raising four children, Skagit County Superior Court Judge Mike Rickert lowered the bail from $5 million to $2.5 million.

The courtroom filled with supporters of both Oakes and Stover.

Stover was last seen Oct. 28 at his home and dog-training business south of Anacortes. Investigators found blood in his house and on his car, which was abandoned at a nearby casino. Stover’s police-trained dog, Ding, was also found at his home, wounded by gunshot.

Oakes was later arrested at Stover’s ex-wife’s home in Winthrop.

• Tahlia Ganser can be reached at 360-416-2148 or at tganser@skagitpublishing.com.

Posted by Thomas A. (Tad) DiBiase, No Body Guy