Violent Crime

March 4, 2013

Holland Man Accused in Cold-Case Killings of Sister and Brother-in-law 25 Years Ago

Ryan Mark Wyngarden, a 50-year-old Zeeland man, has been charged with killing his sister and brother-in-law 25 years ago, according to news reports at Mlive.com. On November 23, 1987, Gail and Rick Brink were shot and killed at their Park Township home located on Ransom Street. Wyngarden was arrested after a cold case team began investigating the incident in 2011.

Wyngarden’s wife, Pam Wyngarden, alleges that her husband had told her that he had killed his sister and her husband when the two were dating; she admitted in January of this year that her husband had committed the killings. Pamela Wyngarden told the courtroom that as time wore on, it became increasingly difficult to keep her husband’s secret. As recently as last year, Pam Wyngarden covered for her husband when Venus Repper and David Blakely, two Ottawa County sheriff’s detectives, came calling. She stuck to the story that she had told for years, that she and her husband were babysitting and doing laundry at a friend’s home when the murders took place.

Wyngarden will be kept in a room during courtroom proceedings according to news reports, after Holland District Judge Bradley Knoll tossed him out of the courtroom due to repeated outbursts as his wife testified. Wyngarden accused his wife of lying, saying that “I can’t believe you’re saying all these lies about me. You know it’s all lies.”

Pamela Wyngarden told the courtroom that she met her future husband shortly before the killings took place, and that he had told her the reason he killed his sister and her husband was that he was “upset” by their relationship. She alleged that Wyngarden had a sexual relationship with his sister when both were teens, and that he was afraid his sister would divulge those details to her new husband.

Rick Brink’s family discovered Gail Brink’s body on a bed with a pillow over her head after becoming concerned that their son had not shown up to work, and driving to the couple’s home. Later, Rick Brink’s body was found in his truck; both he and his wife had suffered gunshot wounds to the head.

Michigan murder attorneys know that without hard physical evidence, it is difficult to convict an individual on charges of murder. So far it appears that Wyngarden was arrested for the murder due to probable cause.

March 1, 2013

Canton Verizon Store Robbed; Four Canton Schools Locked Down as a Result

by Scott Grabel

On Monday February 25, a Canton Verizon Wireless store located on Ford Road was the target of an armed robbery which resulted in four elementary schools in Canton being placed on lockdown. According to news reports at MyFoxDetroit.com, three suspects entered the store, one carrying an assault rifle. The three suspects, who were described as black men, were reportedly wearing masks during the commission of the armed robbery.

The lockdown was lifted on the elementary schools after police apprehended the suspects; according to Canton Police Lt. Debra Newsome, the lockdown was lifted at approximately 12:15 p.m., just over an hour after the robbery occurred. The schools that were under the lockdown include Bentley, Eriksson, Field, and Hoben Elementary schools.

Following the robbery, the three suspects got into a vehicle and fled; when police spotted the vehicle near Saltz and Oakview, they rammed it with a patrol car after the suspects refused to stop, according to a witness, Jack Cardwell. Cardwell explained that once the officer struck the car, the three suspected (who Cardwell described as “kids”) got out of the vehicle and fled on foot toward the woods.

Ironically, the suspects left clues for the police officers, who quickly apprehended the three men. After running out of the woods, the snow on the ground revealed footprints which were pointing in the direction of a storm cellar located on Willard. This is where police found the suspects.

According to Sergeant Mark Gajeski, no weapons were found on the suspects, but there were weapons discovered in the vehicle that Gajeski said would be considered the “automatic weapons” that employees from Verizon reported. No one was injured in the robbery, and police reported that no shots were fired. However, police believe that the suspects match the description of individuals who may have been involved in two other armed robberies in Garden City and Westland.

As all experienced Michigan armed robbery attorneys know, individuals who are convicted on a charge of armed robbery face serious criminal penalties. The minimum sentence is two years in prison; however, when money or property is stolen and a weapon is involved (or even the insinuation of a weapon), those accused may face life in prison if found guilty.

February 27, 2013

Farmington Court Clerk Killed, Body Dismembered; Boyfriend Expected to Be Charged

by Scott Grabel

Kaitlin Hehir, a 29-year-old Farmington court clerk, was recently murdered and her body dismembered, according to news reports at CBSnews.com. Hehir’s 28-year-old boyfriend, whose name was not revealed, is expected to face charges in her murder. He also lived in the home where sections of Hehir’s body was found in five-gallon tubs on Saturday. The tubs were located in the garage and basement of her home.

Media reports say that Hehir’s colleagues were shocked to learn of her gruesome death. Hehir was reported missing on Saturday evening, February 23 by her boyfriend, who told police that earlier that morning Hehir had picked him up from work and took him home, and that she then went back to a party she had been at on Friday evening. However, friends reported that Hehir did not return to the party, and that they did not see her again after she left to pick up her boyfriend from work.

Later, Hehir’s boyfriend admitted to police that the two had gotten into an argument, and that it had turned physical. A search of the home performed by police revealed bloody plastic according to the Farmington Public Safety Department.

Police obtained a search warrant, and subsequently searched the home for Hehir’s body, which they found had been dismembered by what they believed to be a reciprocating saw. The cause of death has not yet been released, although the autopsy has been completed. The case is currently under review by the Oakland County Prosecutor’s office. Prosecutor Jessica Cooper told reporters that the suspect will remain in the Farmington Jail where he will appear for a swear-to and arraignment before Judge Jamie Wittenberg via video feed.

Charges of murder are extremely serious; Michigan murder defense lawyers know that depending on the circumstances in a given situation, the accused may face life in prison if convicted.

February 25, 2013

Novi Man Suspected in Deaths of Wife, Children Arrested in India

by Scott Grabel

Lakshminivasa Rao Nerusu has been a suspect in the slayings of his wife and two children since their 2008 deaths in a suburban Detroit home; according to news reports, Nerusu has been on the run since that time, and was recently taken into custody in Andhra Pradesh in India, a city near Hyderabad, according to Novi Michigan police.

Nerusu, who is 46 years old, allegedly murdered his 37-year-old wife Jayalakshmi and two children who were 12 and 14 years of age at the time on October 13 of 2008. The bludgeoned bodies of the victims were found by police two weeks after their deaths while checking on the welfare of the family.

The Novi Police Department received word on Wednesday February 20 that the suspect had been taken into custody. Investigators from the department had been working with the State Department and the FBI in an effort to apprehend Nerusu, who was taken in on warrant issued by the Oakland County Prosecutors Office. The warrant was issued for Nerusu on three counts of first-degree murder.

According to CBS Detroit, it could take several years for Nerusu to be extradited to the U.S. if he contests the extradition, which is being handled by officials from the Department of State and U.S. Department of Justice.

Nerusu was reportedly an unemployed computer programmer at the time of the murders; he fled Michigan one day after the killings, boarding a plane in Detroit for a one-way trip to India. Novi police chief David Molloy said of the capture of Nerusu, “We look forward to Mr. Nerusu returning to Michigan to face the consequences of these horrific crimes.”

Michigan criminal defense attorneys know that individuals who are convicted on charges of first-degree murder face life in prison without the possibility of parole. Without effective and aggressive legal counsel, it is likely that the suspect in this case will spend the remainder of his life behind bars.

February 21, 2013

22-Year-Old Lansing Man Facing Potential Lengthy Prison Sentence Following Alleged Shooting and Robbery

by Scott Grabel

On Sunday February 10, 22-year-old Christopher Sams of Lansing was arrested after allegedly shooting another man during a robbery. The incident occurred at around midnight at the corner of Southland and Washington avenues, according to news reports.

Robert Merritt, public information officer with the Lansing police, said that the alleged victim had suffered gunshot wounds to his buttocks after he and a friend were followed as they walked home from a local party store, where they had purchased a few items. According to the victim, as the two men followed one of them struck him in the back of the head, demanding money as he brandished a handgun. After denying the suspect’s demand for money, the alleged victim turned and began walking in the direction of his residence; this is when he said that he felt pain in his lower backside after hearing a gunshot. Sams was located and arrested shortly thereafter.

On Tuesday February 12, Sams was arraigned in Lansing District Court on numerous charges including felony firearm, assault with intent to do great bodily harm, armed robbery, carrying a dangerous weapon with unlawful intent and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon. Upon arresting Sams, police said they did not find the second suspect or the handgun.

The victim’s wounds did require surgery, however his injuries were determined not to be life-threatening. Sams’ pretrial conference was set for February 19 before Lansing District Judge Hugh Clarke; his bond was set at $200,000 cash surety.

If convicted of the charges against him, Sams likely faces many years behind bars. As seasoned Michigan criminal defense lawyers, we know that charges of assault with intent to do great bodily harm carry harsh criminal penalties for those convicted. On its own, this charge can leave the defendant facing a fine of up to $5,000 and up to 10 years in prison. Combined with the other charges, the consequences will be even worse.

February 15, 2013

Flint Man to Stand Trial in Lansing on Charges of Open Murder in Death of Swartz Creek Woman

by Scott Grabel

In December of 2012, 19-year-old Derrick Martin allegedly killed 22-year-old Schnee Hyon Sin, a Schwartz Creek resident. Martin’s cousin, Devin Allen Scott Wilson, believed that Martin was taking him to eat breakfast at McDonald’s; instead, Martin took him to see the body of Sin, who he said he had hurt according to Wilson’s testimony in Lansing District Court on Friday February 8. Martin has been charged with open murder, felony firearm, and possession of a firearm by a felon.

On December 8, the victim’s body was found near Crego Park in the Red Cedar River. While it was not known if Martin and Sin had any kind of relationship, authorities said Sin died of a gunshot wound. Wilson testified that his cousin had shown him a gun which matched the description authorities gave of the weapon involved in the crime. Initially, Wilson did not tell authorities that he had seen the gun, saying he was scared of the situation and that he had a panic attack.

Kyle Oben, a 21-year-old Flint resident and friend of Martin’s, said that the two hung out together playing video games and smoking marijuana in the early morning hours the day of the murder. Oben also said that Martin showed him a gun matching the murder weapon’s description; he also testified that he took the gun out from under a pillow while Martin was asleep, because “something didn’t feel right.” Later, Oben and Martin had an altercation that ended in gunfire, although news reports do not state that either was injured.

Oben said at the hearing, “I wouldn’t call us friends – he used to get me in trouble.” Scott Mertens, Martin’s defense attorney, said that Oben and Wilson both made statements during testimony that did not match what they had initially told police, and that he believed both Wilson’s cousin and friend were “flat-out lying.” Martin claims he is innocent.

February 7, 2013

Identification of MLK High School Student Shot by Coach Confirmed

by Scott Grabel

On Friday, February 1, a Martin Luther High School student was fatally shot at approximately 7:30 p.m. by the girls’ assistant basketball coach. The student has been verified as 16-year-old Michael Scott, who according to district spokesman Steve Wasko had enough credits to be considered a freshman, although he attended the MLK Jr. High School.

Coach Ernest Robinson, 70 years old, is licensed to carry a concealed firearm and a Detroit Police Department reservist. Robinson claimed that as he was escorting two female students to their vehicles in the school’s parking lot, Scott and another teen, who were armed, attempted to rob him and attack him. He then took out his gun and fired it, according to news reports.

Scott died after being shot; the other teen was reported in serious condition at a local hospital.

Scott may have been influenced by a new group of friends he had been hanging out with, according to family members who believed he was headed down a wrong path. The 16-year-old was also scheduled to attend trial in March in connection to an armed robbery at a pizzeria in December of 2012, according to court records.

Scott’s mother had stated that her son was a junior at the school, however DPS reported to a local news station that the teen was not enrolled in the school district at the time the shooting took place.

Investigators plan to analyze footage from surveillance cameras to determine what happened, and say that the cameras will play a crucial role in the investigation. Currently, Robinson has been released from custody and has not been charged. Detroit police would not reveal whether the case would be forwarded to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office for review; on Monday, a prosecutor’s office representative said that no information had yet been received from police.

For Michigan criminal defense attorneys, this is a very sad and unfortunate situation. However, it hasn’t been made clear yet whether the basketball coach may be charged in the death at a future date, even though it appears he was acting in self defense. There are many individuals sitting in Michigan prisons today who were only trying to protect themselves and their lives.

February 5, 2013

Brothers: One Found Guilty, One Takes Plea Deal on Multiple Felony Charges

by Scott Grabel

Two brothers were accused of abducting and shooting a man in Superior Township in September after forcing the man to get into a car in Ypsilanti at gunpoint, then shooting him several times in a rural area. The alleged victim, Julien Butler, testified that the brothers, 23-year-old Clinton Desir and 26-year-old Allan Tomlinson , abducted and shot him.

Butler testified in court in September that Tomlinson and Desir picked him up at the Lucky Two Party Store on the afternoon of August 10, 2012 and ordered him into a vehicle at gunpoint. Butler had allegedly raped the mother of Desir’s child, although he denied it. Butler said that he told the two men she way lying about the sexual assault.

Now, Tomlinson has been found guilty by a jury of multiple felony charges, while Desir pleaded no contest on January 28 to numerous charges, including conspiracy to commit unlawful imprisonment, carrying a concealed weapon, and assault with intent to murder.

Tomlinson was convicted on several charges as well, including two counts of assault with intent to commit great bodily harm, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, two counts of unlawful imprisonment and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Both Tomlinson and Desir are scheduled to be sentenced on February 26.

In all, the victim suffered 13 wounds which resulted in severe injuries to his thigh, buttocks, testicles and hip. The two brothers remain incarcerated in the Washtenaw County Jail while awaiting sentencing.

While Desir may receive lighter sentencing due to the fact he pleaded no contest, Michigan criminal defense attorneys know that those charged with multiple crimes often face years in prison, potentially decades. Even on one charge alone, such as assault with intent to commit murder, an individual may face any number of years or even life behind bars. The crimes allegedly committed by these two men are extremely serious, and when combined, could leave them spending the majority of their lives in prison.

February 1, 2013

Lansing Township Woman Arrested After Shooting at Driver of Snow Plow

by Scott Grabel

Sheila Fandrick, a 61-year-old Lansing Township woman, was recently arrested after she allegedly shot at the driver of a snow plow she had hired to work at her residence in the 700 block of Dryer Farm Road.

According to police, the 55-year-old driver of the snow plow said that at around midnight, Fandrick fired a round at him from inside her house, the bullet lodging in a passenger seat after shattering the snow plow’s window. Lansing Township police attempted to take the woman into custody, but she refused to leave. The Michigan State Police Emergency Services Team was then called in to assist, and Fandrick was arrested before being taken to Mason’s Ingham County Jail.

News reports did not reveal the motivation for the shooting. Fandrick was arraigned on one charge of felonious assault in Ingham County District Court on Sunday, January 27. Court records indicate that she posted a $7,500 bond on Monday. Fandrick was also ordered by Judge Thomas Boyd to surrender all firearms to Lansing Township police. A pretrial conference is scheduled for February 5, followed by a February 7 preliminary examination.

Michigan criminal defense lawyers know that individuals convicted on charges of felonious assault may face up to $2,000 in fines and four years in prison. Additionally, if it is determined the crime was committed in a weapon-free school area, the penalties become even more harsh, including fines of up to $6,000 and a possible 150 hours of community service. Not only do individuals who are convicted of serious crimes face possible jail time and steep fines, a criminal record will negatively impact career and employment opportunities as well as other areas of your life.

January 29, 2013

Grand Rapids Man Dies Following Christmas Day Domestic Dispute, Girlfriend Will Not Be Charged

by Scott Grabel

On Christmas day of 2012, 34-year-old Darwin DeMarcus Weathers died at Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital following a domestic dispute in which he was shot at least one time by his girlfriend, 30-year-old Taneesha Inez Smith. Smith admitted to shooting Weathers, however Kent County Prosecutor William Forsyth determined in his ruling on January 28 that Smith will not be charged in the case.

The domestic dispute occurred at around 7:30 in the evening at 57 Leonard St. NE. News reports state that three young children, one believed to be a biological child of Weathers and Smith, were upstairs at the residence when the shooting took place. All three children were said to be younger than 10.

Upon responding to the scene, Grand Rapids police found Weathers in the driveway. Smith told them that she had shot her boyfriend, and was taken into custody. Initially, police sought a warrant to charge Smith with felony homicide, but Forsyth decided against it, saying that he felt she acted in self-defense.

Weathers and Smith had began dating about three years ago, but had known each other prior to dating, according to Smith. The prosecutor outlined several domestic violence incidents in a nine-page opinion, including two in which the victim threatened to kill Smith while pointing a gun at her head.

In September the two lived in Saginaw, where Smith called police following an incident in which Weathers held a gun to her head after shoving her to the ground and telling her, “I’ll blow your (expletive) head off if you move.” Weathers was charged in an 11-count warrant with felonious assault, domestic violence third offense, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, although he had not been arrested. Throughout her relationship with Weathers, Smith sought assistance from shelters for sexual assault and domestic violence victims, however Weathers found her after she moved to Grand Rapids.

In early December, news reports claim that Weathers struck Smith on the head after becoming upset about the Saginaw arrest warrants, and told Smith she needed to get the warrants dropped because he wasn’t going to prison. He also pulled a gun on her at that time according to Smith, who told police Weathers said, “I’ll burn you right now.”

Christmas day was a day of reckoning after Weather verbally and physically abused Smith following the departure of guests who were in their home. Ultimately, Weathers pulled a Glock from his pocket and said to Smith, “I got something for you,” after pointing the gun at her head. As he was attempting to put the gun back in his pocket, it slipped out of his hand and to the floor; this is when Smith recovered the gun as both she and Weathers scrambled for it. Smith told police she closed her eyes and pulled the trigger.

Weathers’ history of abuse and assault against Smith led the prosecutor to believe that she was justified in shooting the victim. Forsyth said that Smith had reason to fear great bodily harm or death. She will not be charged in the death of Weathers.

Felony homicide is a serious criminal offense leaving individuals who are convicted facing harsh consequences. Michigan criminal defense attorneys understand that there are many cases like this one, in which one individual is physically or verbally abused and assaulted repeatedly over time.