5/14/13 - The trial has begun for a man charged with stabbing a Livingston County man to death last year. The trial of 37-year-old Ronald Lewis Kennedy, who is charged with 2nd degree murder, began Monday in Oakland County Circuit Court. Kennedy is also charged with assault with intent to murder and domestic violence against his wife. Charles MacDonald Shiffman of Pinckney was found dead of multiple stab wounds December 1st in the front yard of a home in northern Oakland County's Rose Township. Police say Kennedy stabbed the 34-year-old Pinckney man several times after finding him at the house with his wife, 31-year-old Jessica Kennedy. Shiffmanâs family say the two were long-time friends and that he had gone to the home at the womanâs request to help her get out of an abusive relationship. Kennedyâs mother claims her son was attacked inside his home and was merely defending himself. After stabbing Shiffman, police say Kennedy stabbed his wife and forced her into a car before fleeing the area. He was later stopped by police and arrested. Kennedy remains jailed with no bond. An earlier motion by prosecutors to admit other acts of domestic violence during the trial was granted while a separate motion to allow expert testimony was taken under advisement. (JM/JK)
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