A man accused in the domestic violence death of his wife is facing a stiffer charge.

55-year-old Martin Davis now faces a felony for first-degree domestic assault for serious physical injury.  He had previously been charged with a felony for second-degree domestic assault.

Charges were initially filed in May against the St Joseph man after his wife, Sandra Dee Davis, 52, was found injured in the couple’s home on May 1.

Sandra died after emergency surgery at Mosaic Life Care.

“The victim having multiple injuries and bruises, on multiple surfaces of the victim’s body (broken ribs, kidney bleed, bruises on face, arms, legs, back),” St. Joseph Police Department Detective Trenny Wilson said in the sworn probable cause statement.

Online court documents show Friday, Davis was found competent by the court to understand the nature of the offense charged and able to assist in his defense.  A preliminary hearing was waived and Davis was bound over to circuit court where an arraignment was scheduled Monday for Oct. 29.

Davis is currently committed in default of bond.