Accused killer early person of interest

The accused in Danny Digiandomenico’s death was a person of interest almost from the beginning of the police investigation, court heard Friday. Michael Wilkins, 29, is on trial for manslaughter in the Christmas Eve 2014 death of Digiandomenico. He has pleaded not guilty. Digiandomenico, 36, who owned the Upper Deck Bar and Grill in St. Thomas, was killed by a single stab wound to his neck. He had been partying at Legends Tavern in the early morning of Dec. 24 before heading to a house party with Wilkins and several others. Digiandomenico’s body was found by his mother Christmas Day at his Talbot Street apartment after he failed to show up to family Christmas. Wilkins wasn’t charged until almost two years after Digiandomenico’s death in May 2016. He was released on bail. Const. Terri Hikele of the St. Thomas police was called to the scene at Digiandomenico’s apartment on Dec. 25, 2014, and found Digiandomenico’s body lying face up with an injury to his neck and blood on his hands.

Hikele took photographs of the apartment and noted a steak knife on a table. She was also present during the post-mortem and took photographs at that time as well, she said.

Hikele told the Elgin County court Friday that Wilkins was identified as a person of interest along with about six others. Wilkins’ status was updated to suspect some months later, Hikele said.

Much of the trial that started Monday at the Elgin County Courthouse has surrounded the timeline of events in the few days leading up to Digiandomenico’s body being discovered.