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PROVO — A former Utah County doctor charged with murdering his wife in 2007 wants to have his case heard in court as soon as possible.
Martin MacNiell stared forward for the most part in court, not looking at his daughter or nieces in the audience as his defense attorney Randall Spencer asked to have a preliminary hearing as soon as it could be scheduled.
"Mr. MacNeill's daughters, the prosecutors, the investigators - they all want to make a Hollywood script, it seems, out of the evidence in this case and we just don't think it adds up that way," Spencer said.
But MaCneill's daughter Alexis Somers and prosecutor Chad Grunander say the evidence is there.
"It's a complex case," Grunander said. "There's a very comprehensive investigation that took investigators to California, Texas, Florida and New Jersey for information and for witnesses."
Originally Michelle MacNeill's death was ruled of natural causes, drowning in a bathtub, but was changed after more evidence was gathered. MacNeill is accused of over-medicating his wife and administering a "dangerous combination" of drugs and drowning her in the bathtub of their home, according to documents filed in Utah County's 4th District Court.
Details related to extramarital affairs came to light after Michelle MacNeil's death and police have accused him of trying to frustrate the investigation.
The case has received much attention, including a feature on 20/20 and an in-depth report from the Deseret New.
