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Hearing In Slaying Of Ex-State Trooper, Wife Reset

CHARLOTTE (WWJ/AP) - A judge has postponed the preliminary examination for an ex-con who was on work release from the Eaton County Jail when he's accused of killing a former state trooper and his wife.

The Lansing State Journal said a hearing in Charlotte on whether there's enough evidence for Christopher Perrien to stand trial was moved from last Thursday to Jan. 23.

Perrien is charged with felony murder in the Sept. 22 shootings of 62-year-old Michael Greene and 46-year-old Terri Greene at their home in Delta Township, near Lansing.

A court transcript says 38-year-old Perrien told a judge he worked for a nonexistent company to gain release from jail Sept. 1. Based on the false claim, Eveland allowed Perrien to be released from the Eaton County Jail from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Perrien was out of jail the afternoon of Sept. 22, officials have said. GPS data placed him at the crime scene, court documents show, and Perrien reported back to the jail that evening.

Michael Greene retired in 1998 from the state police. Officials have said the home invasion that left the Greenes dead wasn't random but they haven't released specifics.

Investigators believe Perrien was using Michael Greene's credit cards and mobile phone, according to court documents. Also, Greene's handguns, state police identification and badges were found in a storage unit Perrien had rented, the documents said.

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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.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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