JEssica White Crimestoppers.jpg

Jessica White

Jordan D. McClanahan

HAZEL PARK -- A 23-year-old man could face trial for strangling a woman while on a drug- and alcohol-fueled bender, cutting the fingers off her dead body and hiding the corpse in his attic for days.

Hazel Park 43rd District Judge Charles Goedert on Friday found there was adequate evidence for Jordan Donald McClanahan to stand trial on charges of first-degree premeditated murder and desecration of a corpse.

Police said McClanahan on May 3 admitted to strangling 21-year-old Jessica White of Troy while the two were hanging out at his home on the 600 block of E. Woodward Heights in Hazel Park.

White's parents reported her missing April 24.

"It's emotional for me, and so I can't imagine (how it is) for you," Goedert said to White's friends and relatives after hearing testimony at the preliminary examination.

"I ask you to remain peaceful as you leave here today."

Goedert said there was adequate evidence to indicate McClanahan first choked White for up to seven seconds, long enough for her to lose consciousness, and later looped a belt around her neck and strangled her for up to 1 1/2 minutes.

Medical examiner and police testimony also incidated that, after White's death, McClanahan retrieved bolt cutters and cut off all 10 tips of White's fingers up to her knuckles.

"He admitted his responsibility in this incident, during which time officers responded to the Hazel Park residence and located Ms. White, deceased, being concealed in a roof line storage area connected to (his) bedroom," Hazel Park Police Chief Martin P. Barner said in a statement following the discovery of White's body.

At the conclusion of the hearing Friday, the judge cleared the hallway and courtroom of people in attendance to support McClanahan, who's been jailed since his confession.

He then dismissed those in attendance for White in an attempt to avoid any tension or clashes between the two sides.

If convicted, McClanahan will serve a mandatory life sentence.