Articles Posted in Violent Crime

Kyle Alan Wilson, a 23-year-old Comstock Park resident, was arraigned on charges of open murder on September 16 in connection with the death of his 33-year-old cousin on September 13. Wilson and his cousin, Brandon Nelson, shared a York Creek apartment. The two allegedly became involved in an altercation that ended in Nelson being struck in the head; he died of blunt force trauma, according to court documents.

This week Wilson returned to court for a probable cause hearing in the death of his cousin. According to a news article at Mlive.com, this is the second time that Wilson has been accused of using deadly force to end a dispute. Wilson allegedly stabbed a 15-year-old boy in 2007 during an altercation over a debt; he pleaded guilty in that case to manslaughter, and served approximately five years in prison. He was released in April of 2012.

On Friday September 13, deputies responded to the 3800 block of Yorkland Drive NW at approximately 11:30 p.m. Upon arriving at the scene, officers found Nelson dead. Wilson was arrested the next day as he was walking in Alpine Township. He confessed to authorities that he and Nelson had been involved in an altercation that resulted in his cousin’s death.

The probable cause hearing which was scheduled for Tuesday was to be presided over by Kent County District Court Judge Steven Servaas to determine whether evidence is sufficient to bound Wilson over to felony court. If convicted, Wilson may face the maximum punishment of life in prison without parole.

Murder is the most serious criminal offense an individual can be accused of, regardless of which state a person resides in. Individuals who are charged with open murder (the degree of which is determined by a judge or jury) must have an experienced and aggressive Michigan criminal defense lawyer on their side in order to have any chance of obtaining positive results.

Even in a situation where the offense is particularly violent, every person in the U.S. is innocent until proven guilty. In cases where the accused did actually commit a heinous or violent act, a skilled defense attorney may be able to negotiate with prosecutors to have the charges reduced, particularly in situations where the defendant is of a young age.

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On August 23, 43-year-old Leonel Lopez Jr. suffered a fatal gunshot wound to his throat; now, 22-year-old Demarcus Finley of Kalamazoo will stand trial for open murder and other charges, according to a news article at Mlive.com.

District Judge Anne E. Blatchford ordered Finely to stand trial after hearing witness testimony on Tuesday October 22. Finley allegedly shot Lopez in the neck during an incident that began at Howard’s Party Store on Portage Street in Edison, then continued as those involved left in cars, according to Vianka Walton’s testimony. Walton is Lopez’ sister.

The two men were allegedly engaged in an ongoing feud, and saw each other by “happenstance” at the party store. Walton’s two children and a niece sat in her car in the parking lot as she got money and her brother purchased beer. The defendant then allegedly walked into the store with three children and his girlfriend. After going out into the parking lot, Walton testified that her brother asked Finley if he was “the one who shot up his mom’s house.” Finley didn’t answer, and Walton and Lopez got into her car and began pulling out of the parking lot. By this point, the defendant had three other men with him according to Walton.

Walton claimed in court that from that point, she drove on and was later turning onto Race in Stockbridge when a beer was thrown at her Chevrolet Impala by one of the men she had seen with Finley at the party store. She testified that in the following moments, Finley shot and killed Lopez.

News reports indicate that Lopez and Finley along with their family members and friends in their respective vehicles continued arguing as they were driving their vehicles, and that upon stopping in the 1400 block of Race Street, a fight broke out not only between the deceased victim and the defendant, but passengers in both vehicles as well.

Finley was ultimately charged with one count of open murder, possession with intent to deliver marijuana, two counts of felony use of a firearm, and felon in possession of a firearm. News reports do not indicate when Finley’s trial is scheduled to begin.

While all of the charges against the defendant are serious, a charge of open murder may leave Finley facing a lifetime in prison if convicted. In Michigan, when an individual is charged with open murder it simply means that the “degree” of murder is left up for the judge or jury to decide. Regardless, it is an extremely serious offense that requires the legal guidance and support of an aggressive defense attorney. An experienced lawyer is frequently able to have the charges against his or her client reduced, so that the penalties the client faces are less severe.

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On Wednesday October 17, 30-year-old Ricco D. Holmes of Flint was sentenced by Genesee Circuit Judge Archie Hayman to six to 15 years in prison after pleading no contest to second-degree murder in connection with a 2010 drug house shooting. Holmes allegedly fatally wounded Marcus Bishop after shooting him in the head multiple times at a home located at 6714 Eastmount Drive. He was charged with the murder in September of 2012.

Former Flint Police Sgt. Mike Angus investigated the shooting at the drug house after receiving tips and information regarding the incident. Angus was investigation a gang known as the “Howard Boys” gang, although the defendant was not a member of the gang. Following the investigation, charges were filed against Holmes who is said to have a long criminal history including drug possession, breaking and entering a vehicle with damage, and felon in possession of a firearm.

On May 27 of 2010, Flint Police responded to reports of gunshots being fired in the area. Upon arriving at the known drug house, they found the victim, who was in his 20’s, dead at the scene. At the time, police were looking for suspects in the shooting. In September of 2012, a warrant was issued for Holmes, who police believed to be responsible for Bishop’s death. At the time, Holmes was serving up to 15 years for second-degree murder in the death of Lennon Johnson Jr. In April of this year, the Michigan Court of Appeals reversed Holmes’s conviction, ruling that his counsel in the 2011 trial was ineffective.

Holmes will now face up to 15 years in prison; he was also ordered by the judge to serve a two-year prison term consecutively on felony firearms charges.

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21-year-old Tyson James Grant of Wyoming recently pleaded guilty to stabbing a 61-year-old man at a home the two men shared in an attempt to steal $40. Now, Grant will spend a minimum of 9 years behind bars, according to a news article at Mlive.com. Grant allegedly assaulted Thomas Lindhout on March 21 with a knife; the victim was hospitalized with numerous injuries.

Curiously, the victim did not cooperate with police when they were investigating the stabbing. At the time of the incident, Capt. Kim Koster stated in a news article that the suspect was still at large, and the victim would not provide police with his name.

The incident occurred west of Burlingame Avenue in the 1900 block of Chicago Drive SW at around 9 p.m. Grant fled the scene, but was found in Grand Rapids a day later by Wyoming police. He was scheduled to go to trial October 14 on charges of armed robbery and attempted murder, but instead pleaded guilty in Kent County Circuit Court to armed robbery and assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder. While the maximum sentence for his crimes is life in prison, prosecutors requested a minimum of nine years in jail as part of the plea agreement.

Grant is scheduled to go before Judge Paul Sullivan on November 5 for sentencing.

While 9 years is no doubt preferable to spending a lifetime behind bars, it is still a substantial number of years, particularly for a young person who is 21 years old. The judge could decide to sentence Grant to any number of years, possibly up to life although it isn’t likely. Regardless, the penalties for armed robbery and assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder are extremely harsh. Had Grant not pleaded guilty and been convicted by a jury, it is likely he would have faced harsher punishment.

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In 2004, a woman’s skeletal remains were discovered in a remote area of Wonder Valley by a traveler who was walking his dog. The body was in a shallow grave located in a remote desert area off Ironage Road, approximately one mile south of Twentynine Palms Highway. It was determined through dental records that the woman was 33-year-old Jean Leppan of Yucca Valley.

Jean’s husband, Charles Leppan, was interviewed and arrested on that same day, suspected by authorities of murdering his wife. Shortly thereafter, Supervising Deputy District Attorney Linda Root announced that a decision had been made not to file charges against Charles Leppan at the time, as the investigation was ongoing. Homicide Sgt. Bobby Dean issued a statement shortly thereafter that the victim was last seen in January, and that she and Charles Leppan, who was a sergeant in the Marine Corps, were attempting to reconcile their marriage, and shared a home in Yucca Valley, California.

Charles Leppan was allegedly the last person to see his wife alive; Dean said that Leppan did not report his wife missing, and that he remarried in February, just two weeks after the last time his wife had been seen alive.

Now, some nine years later, Charles Leppan who is now 41 years old has been arrested in connection with the homicide. Leppan was arrested on Sunday October 13 at his Brandon Township home by Oakland County sheriff’s detectives along with the San Bernardino County district attorney and sheriff’s detectives.

News reports indicate that Leppan will be extradited and face charges in California; he was being held at the Oakland County Jail.

While no doubt the criminal penalties are harsh for those convicted of murder in California, Michigan criminal defense lawyers know that this is a crime punished harshly in every state across the U.S., including Michigan. Individuals convicted of first-degree murder in the state will face life in prison; other homicide charges such as second-degree murder, and voluntary/involuntary manslaughter also subject the defendant to serious and life-changing consequences.

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On Friday, 22-year-old Kane D. Reeves of Paw Paw was charged with attempted murder after allegedly beating his estranged girlfriend in what is described as a “vicious” attack. Police claim Reeves threatened to kill the victim, who according to news articles is the mother of Reeves’ three children.

The incident took place on Wednesday October 9. Authorities say the victim suffered extensive injuries to her face, and will need reconstructive surgery. Reeves was charged with a single count each of assault with intent to commit murder and attempt to murder after a warrant was authorized by the Van Buren County Prosecutor’s Office.

Sheriff’s investigators claim that Reeves laid in wait for his estranged girlfriend at her home on Wednesday morning after suspecting that she was engaged in an affair with one of his close friends. The victim arrived at her home at approximately 8:30 a.m., and Reeves then allegedly assaulted her in a way that was described in a news release issued by the sheriff’s office as “immediate and vicious.” One of the victim’s neighbors called deputies after witnessing the victim being chased by Reeves, her face covered in blood.

The victim said that Reeves had told her that she was going to die during the vicious attack. Police said the defendant also suffered damage to his face and head after slamming it repeatedly into the patrol car’s Plexiglas divider.

Michigan assault defense attorneys understand that violence is often the result of rage or jealousy. Unfortunately, if convicted the defendant may face life behind bars, a sad fact considering he is only 22 years of age. While this is absolutely a violent and heinous act, there are situations in which those accused deserve a second chance.

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In 2004, two individuals were killed in a double shooting at the Super 8 Motel in Mt. Morris Township. Jajuan Fordham, 35, is an alleged Pierson Hood gang member who was charged along with another gang member in the deaths of Marcus L. Ballard, 25, of Flint, and Kenneth M. Edwards, 19, of Clio.

Fordham was initially charged with four counts of assault with intent to murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and two counts of murder in the fatal double shooting. Now, the charges against Fordham in connection with the incident have been dismissed by Genesee Circuit Judge Joseph Farah after Fordham’s attorney requested the case be dismissed when prosecutors refused to produce a witness who was held in federal custody.

David Leyton, Genesee County Prosecutor, said they would liked to have been able to proceed with the murder case. While prosecutors made a number of arguments as to why the case should continue, Judge Farah rejected them all. Deonte Matthews, the second suspect in the motel murders, also had charges dismissed against him earlier this year.

Charges were dropped against Matthews after his attorney argued that a confidential witness who could have cleared his client was never provided by federal authorities. Matthews has steadily held to the fact that he is innocent, and was in Tawas City with his ex-wife when the double shooting took place. The confidential witness was to have testified that Samuel Wood, a fellow gang member, was one of two who actually committed the murders. Authorities believe members of the Pierson Hood gang sought to kill members of the Merrill Hood gang in retaliation of an attack on Garner Wood, Samuel Wood’s brother.

While the charges related to the Super 8 Motel against Fordham were dismissed, he remains charged with murder in a separate incident involving the 2006 murder of Alvin Rauls who was shot and killed as he sat in a car with his girlfriend.

Michigan murder defense lawyers know that individuals convicted of any homicide offense including first- or second-degree murder face serious consequences, including the possibility of life in prison. These are serious charges which require outstanding legal support and guidance in order to reach positive results.

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Zebulan Timothy Nester, 17, is charged with assault with intent to rob and felony use of a firearm in connection with a shooting that occurred at a Kentwood party in August which injured 22-year-old Terrence Giles. Following the altercation, Nester allegedly eluded police for weeks before members of the FBI fugitive task force found him at a Shell gas station.

According to news articles at Mlive.com, Nester, a resident of Sparta, burst through the door as a house party was going on and became involved in an argument with Giles before shooting him. A bullet went through Giles’ elbow, and another lodged in his hip where it remains. Giles told police while in the hospital that Nester burst in and asked Giles, “Where is it at.” News reports do not indicate what Nester meant by the remark.

Giles was reportedly hanging out and smoking marijuana with a young lady at an underage party where guests were using marijuana and drinking alcohol when the incident took place. Nester allegedly pointed the gun at Niles’ head after making the remark. After shooting Giles, Nester fled the scene and would not be located by authorities for four weeks.

Police were told that Nester had left the state, and possibly the country. Their difficulty in locating him was due in part to the fact that he had no fixed address. Nester appeared at his probable cause hearing on Monday October 7; he remains in the Kent County Jail on a $500,000 bond set by Kentwood District Court Judge William Kelly.

A witness at the party as well as the shooting victim identified Nester in a photo lineup. The defendant was considered ‘armed and dangerous’ by police while he was on the run.

In Michigan, assault is considered a very serious criminal offense. There are various types of assault, including aggravated assault (usually a misdemeanor), and felonious charges which include assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with intent to do great bodily harm, and assault with intent to commit murder. When an individual is charged with assault with intent to rob, the penalties if convicted include up to 15 years in prison. However, when a dangerous weapon is involved such as in the case described above, the prison sentence increases and leaves the defendant facing up to life behind bars.

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