A Mead man accused of killing his wife in front of their 11-year-old son has been charged with second-degree murder.

Sheriff's detectives recommended charging Jeffery N. Canino, 46, with first-degree murder for the Dec. 2 stabbing death of Michelle Canino at their Mead home, but prosecutors felt evidence only supported the lesser charge.

The difference in charges means prosecutors won't be trying to prove that Canino planned to kill Michelle Canino but that he did intend to kill her when he stabbed her.

"It didn't appear that this was any kind of huge thought out plan; it was something he thought to do that morning," said Deputy Prosecutor John Love.

Canino appeared in Spokane County Superior Court via video today, where his bail was set at $1.5 million, a reduction from the $2.5 million imposed at his first court appearance Dec. 7.

The second-degree murder charge includes domestic violence and weapons enhancements which Love said can put Canino behind bars just as long as a first-degree murder charge can, 20 years to life.

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