MENOMINEE — The preliminary examination for the 35-year-old Bark River man arraigned on an open murder charge was postponed in Menominee County District Court Wednesday.

Gary Paul Phillips-Donovan, 35, of 3071 D Road Apt. 208, Bark River, is charged with one count of homicide – open murder – statutory short form, a lifetime felony, on Nov. 20.

Phillips-Donovan was arrested and charged with the murder of his father after Michigan State Police began a homicide investigation into the death of Michael Alan Donovan, 74, of Harris Township on Nov. 19.

Troopers from the Michigan State Police – Gladstone Post were called to a residence on Old US 2 and 41, near Eustis Road, in Menominee County, at around 12:35 p.m. EST Nov. 19.

Donovan was found dead, suffering extensive trauma to the head, in the detached garage of his home in Harris Township.

A forensic autopsy determined Donovan died from blunt force trauma to the head, and that the manner of death was homicide.

Phillips-Donovan was to appear in court for a preliminary examination on Dec. 11 at 1:30 p.m., however, it was postponed.

Two possible dates for the two-day preliminary examination were selected on Wednesday instead, as the prosecution awaits receipt of additional evidence in the case.

The new preliminary examination will be scheduled in January.