Violent Crime

February 20, 2015

Detroit Man Facing Criminal Charges Following Bus Stop Stabbings Believed Related to Religious Beliefs

On Saturday February 14, 39-year-old Terrence Lavaron Thomas was standing with a group of individuals at a suburban bus stop when he allegedly asked some whether they were Muslims, according to a recent news article at Mlive.com. Southfield Police Chief Eric Hawkins said that two of the individuals answered that they were not Muslims, at which point the two were stabbed by Thomas. On Tuesday it was reported that the case was being investigated as a potential hate crime by federal authorities.

Hawkins said that Thomas was not happy with the answer given by the two victims, who are both in their early 50s. He allegedly attacked one of the victims with a 3-inch folding knife he pulled out, then stabbed the other in the hand as he attempted to bring a halt to the attack. Neither of the victims sustained serious injuries.

The defendant, who is charged with one count of carrying a dangerous weapon, one count of possession of a controlled substance, and two counts of assault with intent to murder, fled the scene after stabbing the victims, however he was arrested by police within minutes, according to Hawkins, who also said Thomas was carrying two knives along with some marijuana.

January 29, 2015

Suspect Who Injured Police Officer During Traffic Stop Facing Criminal Charges

by Scott Grabel

On Friday January 23, a 55-year-old man allegedly shot a Flint Township police officer after he was stopped for a traffic violation. That man, who has not been named pending his arraignment, is now facing charges of resisting and obstructing a police officer and carrying a concealed weapon, according to a news report at Mlive.com.

The incident occurred at approximately 10:30 p.m. at the Hometown Inn in the 3200 block of Miller Road. According to reports, the officer attempted to take the man into custody on multiple misdemeanor warrants, when the two became involved in a scuffle that resulted in the suspect pulling a gun before firing on the officer. The bullet struck the officer, who then called for backup. The injured officer was continuing to recover three days later, according to Flint Township Lt. James Baldwin. The suspect was also injured by return gunfire of the officer and backup officers who responded to the scene.

The officer who was injured and hospitalized works as a patrol officer, and has been with the force for two years.

January 2, 2015

Cass County Police Investigating Armed Robbery at Marcellus Gas Station

by Scott Grabel

On New Year’s Day, the Yummies Marathon gas station in Marcellus was robbed by an armed gunman, according to a news article at Mlive.com. Cass County police were investigating the robbery as of early this morning in an effort to capture the gunman, who has been described as a white man who is approximately 220 lbs., 5 foot 8 inches tall, and last seen wearing a dark grey hooded sweatshirt, blue t-shirt, blue jeans, striped grey and black winter hat, and black vest.

The robbery occurred just after 10:30 p.m. on New Year’s night, as the suspect allegedly walked into the station and proceeded to demand cash from the clerk while brandishing a black semi-automatic handgun. The amount of cash he escaped with had not been determined at the time of news reports.

A K-9 tracking dog was brought to the gas station by the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office, however their efforts to locate the suspect failed. Police were requesting anyone with further information about the robbery or suspect to contact their tip line at 1-800-462-9328.

November 20, 2014

Charges of Assault with Intent to Murder Dropped in Gas Station Shooting After Victim Recants ID of Shooter

by Scott Grabel

Arthur L. Williams, a 25-year-old man charged with assault with intent to murder in a gas station shooting in September, is no longer facing charges after the alleged victim recanted the shooter’s ID, according to a news article at Mlive.com.

On September 6, a shooting occurred at a Speedway gas station in Buena Vista Township. At approximately 2 in the morning, a fight took place in the parking lot near the gas pumps which resulted in the victim being shot. Buena Vista Police Detective Sgt. Greg Klecker said that upon reviewing surveillance video of the altercation, detectives saw a group of men engage in a fight after several men and women arrived in the parking lot in separate vehicles. One of the men pulled away from the crowd before firing at the victim, who fell and then got up, ran away, and eventually sought medical treatment. The suspect in the shooting fled on foot, according to Klecker.

At his preliminary hearing on November 4, the victim recanted the identification of Williams as the shooter. Others who were involved in the fight would not cooperate with investigators, so the prosecutor’s office decided to drop the charges against Williams, according to Chief Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Boyd. Williams remains behind bars on a charge related to the case after he fled from police on foot as they attempted to capture him about one month after the shooting. He is charged with felony resisting and obstructing a police officer.

November 6, 2014

Two Arraigned in October Murder of 76-year-old Plymouth Township Man

by Scott Grabel

On Friday October 31, two individuals were arraigned in the October 27 shooting death of 76-year-old Kenneth LaBita, a longtime Plymouth Township resident. LaBita was found inside his home just east of Haggerty on the evening of the 27th; he had been shot to death, according to police.

A news article at the Detroit Free Press claims that LaBita had lived in the home for approximately 40 years. His body was discovered when officers were dispatched to the home to check on his welfare. LaBita was discovered lying on the floor, a gunshot wound to his head.

In the first days, investigators had no leads in the case. According to Tom Tiderington, Plymouth Township Police Chief, detectives began working around the clock to make progress in the case. Tips from both the public and other law enforcement agencies, along with telephone records, led authorities to one of the suspects, 22-year-old Andrew Nutt of Westland. Another individual, 19-year-old Miriah Pisarski of Wayne, has also been charged in the case. Both are charged with felony murder, first-degree premeditated murder, larceny, and using a gun during a felony.

October 3, 2014

22-year-old Saginaw Man to Serve More Than 30 Years for 2013 Shooting at Apartment Complex

by Scott Grabel

On September 15, 22-year-old Keith K. Solomon Jr. was sentenced to 36 years and three months to 65 years in prison after being convicted of seven felonies involving a shooting at the Birch Park apartment complex in May of 2013. Solomon was given credit for just over 16 months already served.

In July, Solomon was convicted of shooting Gerald Hudson at the apartment complex after the two men became involved in an altercation. According to a news article at Mlive.com, Hudson was sitting in van when Solomon, who was riding a bicycle, circled the van and eventually began speaking to two other people in the vicinity. Hudson got out of the van and shook one of the individual’s hands before walking back toward the van, when Solomon decided to follow him. Hudson then turned toward Solomon, raised his fists, and told Solomon he did not want to fight. Solomon replied to Hudson that he (Hudson) wasn’t going to knock him out like he did Solomon’s cousin, upon which he pulled a handgun and shot Hudson.

Hudson recovered from his injuries and was able to testify at Solomon’s trial. In addition to his conviction for assault, Solomon was found guilty of possessing a firearm as a felon, carrying a concealed weapon, carrying a dangerous weapon with unlawful intent, and three felony firearm counts as a second time offender. In November, Solomon turned down a plea agreement which would have resulted in a minimum 20 year sentence.

September 26, 2014

Handyman Charged in Murder of Bloomfield Township Resident

by Scott Grabel

Earlier this week, a Wayne man was charged in the September 4 homicide of a Bloomfield Township resident. Bart Mitchell Spencer, a 45-year-old handyman, is suspected of murdering 77-year-old William Whitelaw. According to news reports at the Detroit Free Press, Spencer has an extensive criminal record.

At the time of news reports, an arraignment date and time could not be set as Spencer had allegedly violated his parole and was in custody of federal authorities. While several individuals were arrested in connection with Whitelaw’s death, Spencer is the only one charged in the homicide as authorities believe he carried out the murder alone.

According to the news article, Spencer did work for several residents who lived in the condo complex where Whitelaw lived. He had also done work for the victim, and was well-known in the complex. On the evening of September 4, authorities were dispatched to the victim’s condo after Whitelaw’s son called 911 and reported a deceased person.

August 1, 2014

Sibling Fight Ends in Murder Charges for Dearborn Man

by Scott Grabel

On Monday, July 28, 23-year-old Rajeh Elmawri of Dearborn was charged with torture and first-degree murder in the death of his sister, 30-year-old Asyh Elmawri.

According to news reports at Mlive.com, the brother and sister became involved in an argument that turned deadly. Rajeh Elmawri allegedly strangled his sister on Saturday afternoon at a family home located in the 7500 block of Bingham, and stabbed her numerous times. Dearborn police Chief Ronald Haddad described the incident as a “domestic violence incident that escalated.”

Elmawri family members called 911 to report the argument. When police arrived on the scene, they found Asyh Elmawri’s lifeless body inside the home.

The defendant was arraigned on the charges on Monday before District Judge Sam Salamey who ordered Elmawri jailed on a $1 million bond. His probable cause hearing is scheduled for August 8. A defense attorney will be appointed by the court, according to the Washington Times.

First-degree murder is a very serious charge, and leaves the defendant facing life-changing consequences. The maximum punishment for someone found guilty of this crime is life in prison. Given that the defendant in this case was involved in a domestic dispute with his sister, could he have been acting in self defense? The case remains under investigation, so perhaps a motive or other facts surrounding the case may come to light in the coming days and weeks.

July 3, 2014

Detroit Suburb Shooting Leaves Two-Year-Old Dead

by Scott Grabel

On the evening of Tuesday, July 1, a two-year-old toddler was killed and two other people injured in a Detroit suburb shooting, according to Michigan State Police who were canvassing the neighborhood at the time in search of information regarding a motive or suspect. Now, police have taken a suspect into custody who they believe was involved in the Inkster shooting, according to news reports at Mlive.com.

Other than the two-year-old victim, a 34-year-old man and 12-year-old girl were shot as the three sat on the porch at the home. Michigan State Police told the Associated Press that a single shooter was involved, although eyewitnesses have provided different accounts of whether the suspect left the scene of the crime on foot, got into a waiting car, or fled in a van after firing the gun at the victims. The 12-year-old girl was said to be in critical condition, and the man in stable condition.

On Wednesday July 2, police discovered that the shooting was in retaliation for an incident that occurred in April at an after hours club near the high school. They have taken in a suspect after speaking with the man, who was the two-year-old victim’s father. While the suspect was not named in news reports, he was located at his girlfriend’s home in Brownstown Township and taken into custody. Police are also now seeking a second suspect in the incident.

Michigan criminal defense attorneys would agree that the suspect, who thus far has not been identified, will face serious charges in this case, probably murder or homicide charges. Depending on whether the suspect pleads guilty or goes to trial, he could face up to life in prison if convicted by a jury. In cases where a person is charged with open murder, the jury will decide whether the offender will be charged with first- or second-degree murder.

All homicide charges are extremely serious, and will leave the offender facing a substantial number of years to life in prison if convicted. First-degree murder, the most serious of all charges, will result in life in prison. Second-degree murder (murder that is not premeditated or committed in conjunction with other crimes such as larceny, kidnapping, home invasion, robbery, and other offenses) will result in a prison term of any number of years to life.

June 26, 2014

2013 Paw Paw Stabbing Death Results in Prison Time for Illinois Man

by Scott Grabel

On Monday, June 23, 38-year-old William Chance Stephens of Benld, IL was sentenced to 142 months to 270 months in prison for his role in the stabbing death of Trey Yarbrough in Paw Paw in October of 2013.

According to Mlive.com, Stephens was charged with one count of open murder in the death, which is believed to occurred after the two men engaged in an argument about Yarbrough stealing money from Stephens. Detective Sgt. Kevin Conklin testified in court that the two men got involved in a verbal altercation at the Lakeside Inn. He went on to say that Stephens admitted to stabbing the victim. Paw Paw police found Yarbrough, who was 20 years old, with multiple stab wounds. He was found at a gas station located across the street from the Lakeside Inn.

Stephens was ultimately found guilty of manslaughter after his defense attorney requested that the judge in the case, Circuit Judge Kathleen M. Brickley, allow jurors to consider the lesser offense. He will serve a minimum of 11 years in prison.

In Michigan, an individual charged with open murder may be tried for first- or second-degree murder, determined by the jury. A conviction for first-degree murder would have left the defendant in this case facing life in prison. Manslaughter, whether voluntary or involuntary, leaves the defendant facing up to 15 years in prison along with substantial fines. Other factors that may affect sentencing include the defendant’s criminal history.

This story is just one example that shows why it is so important for anyone accused of a serious or violent crime to work with a skilled criminal defense attorney. Even someone charged with murder may escape lifetime imprisonment in some circumstances. While no one wants to face manslaughter charges or any criminal charges for that matter, most individuals would certainly prefer to spend 11 or 15 years behind bars when compared to the rest of their lives.