Man Charged with Novi Woman's Homicide to be in Court Wednesday

Peter Gerard Jones, 46, charged with the homicide of an 84-year-old Novi woman, will appear in court for his preliminary examination 9:15 a.m. Wednesday before Judge Dennis Powers at 52-1 District Court in Novi.

Jones was the key suspect in Bernice Irene Schaufele's death. Police and fire department personnel discovered Schaufele dead in her Novi home, on the 20900 block of West Glen Haven Circle in the Country Place condominium complex north of Eight Mile Road and west of Meadowbrook Road, after receiving a 911 call regarding an unresponsive woman. An autopsy performed by the Oakland County Medical Examiner’s Office determined Schaufele died from asphyxia and stabbing and the manner of death to be homicide, police said.

The Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office issued a two-count complaint and warrant charging Jones with homicide – murder first degree – premeditated and homicide – felony murder, a news release said. A conviction for either charge carries a life sentence without the possibility of parole. In his video arraignment last week, Powers ordered Jones to be held without bond and was taken to the Oakland County Jail.

He is currently on parole through the State of Michigan for manslaughter and two counts of unarmed robbery, both of which occurred in Wayne County, according to the release. He also has an extensive criminal record in the State of Florida, the release said.

A preliminary examination is meant to establish whether there is probable cause to believe that a felony was committed and that the defendant committed it. If probable cause is established, the case is bound over to the circuit court for further proceedings.