Case against accused wife killer advances to circuit court

A Commerce Township man accused of murdering his wife last May will face a judge in Oakland County Circuit Court next week after a lower court judge bound over the case against him.

Vincent Vuichard spent his 64th birthday last week in the Oakland County Jail, where he has been held for months since his wife, Tatiana “Tanya” Vuichard was slain at their Maple Crossing condominium in the 4100 block of Chesapeake Circle. Her body was found by Oakland County Sheriff’s deputies called to the couple’s home for a welfare check after she didn’t show up for work on May 17. Tatiana Vuichard was a long-time employee of Novi Community Schools.

On Dec. 14, a preliminary exam was held before 52-1 District Judge Robery Bondy, where the prosecution presented evidence that Vuichard killed his wife. Bondy said probable cause was established, and advanced the case to the higher court.

Vuichard faces an open murder charge. He underwent psychiatric testing at the state’s Center for Forensic Psychiatry, as requested by defense attorney Judith Gracey who has indicated he has a history of psychological problems.

Shortly after Vuichard’s arrest last May, Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said he was “in the process of covering up, trying to get rid of his wife’s body and destroying evidence when (deputies) arrived,” at the Vuichard home. The body was wrapped in garbage bags and a blanket on a bathroom floor, according to the prosecutor.

McDonald also said there was “a long history, pattern of a domestic violence relationship” which included stalking by Vuichard, who was banned from Novi Community Schools property.

Vuichard will be arraigned in Oakland County Circuit Court on Dec. 23 before Judge Denise Langford Morris.