MARQUETTE -- The Ishpeming man accused in the beating death of a Negaunee man in April is headed to circuit court.
Thomas Arthur Hyttinen, 37, appeared in Marquette District Court Monday morning for a preliminary examination. He is facing charges of second degree homicide after he allegedly assaulted victim Carl Wayne Mercer of Negaunee, leading to his death.
After hearing testimony from the incident's responding officer, medical examiner and the victim's significant other, who is also Hyttinen's cousin, Judge Dennis Girard bound the case over to circuit court.
"Based on the result that came about that Mr. Mercer did in fact die from a strike about the face, the head and knowing how many times he was struck, that there was a risk of death or of great bodily harm and, therefore, I'm going to bind over the charge of second degree murder," said Girard.
Hyttinen is scheduled to be arraigned in district court on May 27 at 10:30 a.m.
He remains in jail on a one million dollar cash bond.
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