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Man Charged With Murder In Macomb Woman's Death

SHELBY TWP. (WWJ) - A 28-year-old man has been charged with murder in connection with an attack on a woman last February in her Macomb Township home.

The Macomb Daily in Mount Clemens reports that Joseph Reiner, a Fraser resident, appeared Wednesday in district court in Shelby Township.

Police say Reiner broke into Joanne Eisenhardt's residence on Fairchild Street in broad daylight on Feb. 23, kicked in the woman's front door and attacked.

Joanne Eisenhardt, who was found with two knives in her neck, was able to call 911 after the attack and give a description of her assailant. Police captured Renier in New York after a multi-state chase ensued when he was clocked doing 65 in a 55 zone.

Assistant Macomb County Prosecutor William Cataldo said Eisenhardt died of a heart attack in September, after being in an out of rehabilitation centers and suffering from infections.

Reiner originally was charged with attempted murder and home invasion in the daytime break-in and attack.

Cataldo said a medical examiner will testify at Reiner's Jan. 25 preliminary examination that the 69-year-old Eisenhardt's death was caused by injuries suffered in the February attack.

Defense attorney Timothy Barkovic said prosecutors can't prove Eisenhardt's death was caused by the stabbing.

TM and © Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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