Michigan Criminal Lawyers Blog
On Friday May 3, 72-year-old Alphonso D. Jackson of Detroit was arrested after the body of an elderly woman in a dismembered state was discovered in his apartment. Jackson was arraigned on Monday after being charged with concealing the death of a person, disinterment of a body, and tampering with evidence. Donald Cook, Jackson’s attorney, said that his client could be facing murder charges soon.
Jackson, who is wheelchair-bound, was sitting in his kitchen when police placed him under arrest according to a news article at Detroit News. Police were called to the Phillip C. Sims Senior Housing Apartments on Friday after a maintenance worker in the building called and reported that he saw the defendant leaving the apartments with a bloody bag.
In a press release, Maria Miller, who is spokeswoman for Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy, said that police found blood on the sidewalk, and in the lobby and elevator of the apartment building upon their arrival. Further investigation led them to Jackson’s apartment, where they allegedly found more blood. Police began searching for any victims who may have sustained injuries when they found the woman’s dismembered body in the bathroom.
News reports also claim that Jackson was seen purchasing knives and bleach at a nearby Dollar Store in surveillance video footage.
For the time being, Jackson has not been charged with criminal homicide and is being held on a $2 million cash bond. A motive for the crime or whether there was a relationship between the two has not been established. Jackson may be facing up to ten years in prison if convicted of dismembering the victim’s body.
Michigan homicide attorneys realize that individuals who are charged with and subsequently convicted of homicide or murder face extremely serious consequences. While murder charges have not been brought against Jackson at this time, he may spend the rest of his life behind bars if prosecutors do decide to charge him and obtain a conviction.
Individuals who are accused of homicide, voluntary or involuntary manslaughter, first- or second-degree murder or any serious offense must consult with an aggressive Michigan criminal defense lawyer immediately for the best possible chance of a positive outcome.