Robert Cheek is charged with Open Murder in the death of Valerie Smith
A Frankfort man is charged with Open Murder in the death of his girlfriend earlier this year.
54 -year-old Robert Cheek was arraigned Thursday in Benzie County.
The Benzie County Prosecuting Attorney says Cheek killed his girlfriend, Valerie Smith in April. Smith's body was discovered by Frankfort Police on April 29 in the home where she and Cheek lived. An autopsy report shows Smith died from blunt force head trauma.
Cheek has been behind bars in Manistee County Since April, on assault charges. Officials say he tried to kill a man in Bear Lake.
Cheek was denied bail at Thursday's arraignment in Benzie County. He'll be back in court on December 17.
