Ex‑Husband Michael McKee Arraigned in Ohio, Pleads Not Guilty, No Bond Set
Updated (2 articles)
Arraignment and Plea Details On Jan. 23, 2026 Michael McKee appeared before the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, entered a not‑guilty plea to all counts, and was ordered held without bond [1][2]. The hearing followed his extradition from Winnebago County, Illinois, where he had been detained after a Jan. 12 hearing [2]. He was booked into the James A. Karnes Corrections Center pending further proceedings [1][2].
Charges and Potential Penalty Prosecutors indicted McKee on four aggravated‑murder counts and one aggravated‑burglary count for the deaths of Spencer and Monique Tepe [1][2]. If convicted, Ohio law mandates a minimum life sentence with parole eligibility only after 32 years [1][2]. The indictment ties the crimes directly to McKee as Monique Tepe’s ex‑husband [1][2].
Investigation Links Suspect to Crime Scene Neighborhood video surveillance captured a vehicle arriving before the shootings and leaving afterward; investigators later located that vehicle in Rockford, Illinois, confirming McKee’s ownership [1][2]. Police recovered multiple firearms from McKee’s property, with at least one preliminarily linked to the Tepe homicides [1][2]. Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant described the killings as a targeted domestic‑violence attack, underscoring the personal motive [1][2].
Extradition Timeline and Custody McKee waived an Illinois extradition hearing on Jan. 12, allowing immediate transport to Ohio for arraignment [2]. After his transfer, he was booked into the Franklin County jail on Jan. 20, setting the stage for the Jan. 23 arraignment [2]. The swift extradition and booking process reflect coordination between Illinois and Ohio authorities [2].
Sources
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1.
WBNS (Columbus, OH): Ex‑husband charged in Tepe killings pleads not guilty; judge imposes no bond: Details McKee’s Jan. 23 arraignment, not‑guilty plea, denial of bond, weapon recovery, and domestic‑violence framing .
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2.
WBNS (Columbus, OH): Ex‑husband extradited to Ohio in Tepe killings, booked into Franklin County jail: Covers McKee’s Jan. 20 booking, extradition waiver, indictment specifics, surveillance‑vehicle link, and weapon evidence .
Timeline
2025 (late) – Columbus investigators use neighborhood video surveillance to identify Michael McKee as the suspect, trace a vehicle he owns to Rockford, Illinois, and recover multiple weapons from his property, with at least one preliminarily linked to the Tepe homicides; Chief Elaine Bryant calls the killings “a targeted domestic‑violence attack”[1][2].
Jan 12, 2026 – McKee appears for his first court hearing in Winnebago County, Illinois, waives his extradition hearing, and, through his public defender, signals his intent to plead not guilty to the Ohio charges[2].
Jan 20, 2026 – Ohio authorities extradite McKee to Franklin County, book him into the James A. Karnes Corrections Center, and confirm his indictment on four counts of aggravated murder and one count of aggravated burglary in the deaths of Spencer and Monique Tepe[2][2].
Jan 23, 2026 – In Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, McKee arraigns, enters a not‑guilty plea to all counts, and a judge denies bond, setting the stage for future trial proceedings; if convicted, he faces a minimum life sentence with parole eligibility after 32 years[1][1].