Articles Posted in Violent Crime

On March 3, Detroit Police Officer Johnny Ray Bridges was arrested after he allegedly beat a woman and detained her against her will. Bridges, 47, is now charged with domestic violence, unlawful imprisonment, assault with intent to do great bodily harm, reckless discharge of a firearm, and preventing a crime report according to a news article at Mlive.com.

According to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, Bridges and the woman were drinking alcohol when an argument ensued; the officer was off duty at the time. Bridges allegedly kicked and punched the victim in various areas of her face and body, and fired a handgun into the air. The woman, who was Bridges’ girlfriend, jumped out of a window at the Detroit home where she and Bridges were, running to a nearby restaurant to phone police while wearing only a t-shirt. An employee at the restaurant dialed 911 and gave the 31-year-old woman clothing to put on.

Bridges has been an officer with the Detroit Police Department for nearly 25 years. Although he turned himself in, his job is likely in jeopardy as the department has a zero tolerance policy for crime. Bridges was ordered to have no contact with the alleged victim. A preliminary examination hearing has been scheduled for March 13.

In the state of Michigan, domestic violence and assault with intent to commit great bodily harm are extremely serious charges. Criminal penalties for assault with intent to commit great bodily harm less than murder include fines of up to $5,000 along with a maximum of 10 years in prison for those convicted. Domestic violence is divided into two categories, domestic assault and aggravated domestic assault. Depending on which offense an individual is accused of, he or she may face fines of between $500 and $1,000, along with jail time of between 93 days and one year for a first conviction.

The criminal penalties set forth by law are not the only consequences of a conviction. As indicated above, a conviction could destroy both an individual’s career and reputation, leaving the defendant with a criminal record which will create issues for the rest of his or her life.

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On Thursday February 13, a prominent minister and activist in Detroit turned himself in to the Detroit Police Department and was charged with domestic violence against his wife. Rev. Horace L. Sheffield III, minister at New Destiny Baptist Church, was booked, charged, and released on a $7,500 bond, according to news reports at Mlive.com. Sheffield was also charged with preventing a crime report.

Sheffield was charged following an incident which occurred on Monday at the couple’s home in the 19000 block of Warrington. Sheffield and his wife, Dianna L. Solomon, are in the process of getting a divorce; the minister filed for divorce from his wife in November of last year, according to Wayne County Circuit Court records.

Solomon had returned to the couple’s home after moving out to gather some belongings when an argument ensued. Solomon then attempted to call police when Sheffield tried to take her cell phone away. According to Sheffield’s spokesman Adolph Mongo, the issue should have been worked out in divorce court, not criminal court, as the case is about a cell phone rather than physical violence.

On Friday February 7, 21-year-old Shaquille Jones pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the shooting death of University of Michigan medical student Paul DeWolf, who died in July of 2013. Jones, who is from South Carolina, will spend a minimum of 18 years and nine months for his role in the shooting death, according to news reports at Mlive.com. 

Thom DeWolf, the deceased medical student’s father, said that hearing a firsthand account of how his son was killed was more difficult than he expected it to be.

Jones and another man, Joei Jordan also of South Carolina, were each charged with open murder and three counts of home invasion. Paul DeWolf was shot to death in his room at the fraternity house after Jones and Jordan broke into the room, stealing only a PlayStation 3. Authorities suspect the two men broke into the room because of a rolled up towel they mistook as indication someone was smoking marijuana in the room. DeWolf had placed the towel at the bottom of a door to keep air conditioned air inside the room.

44-year-old Tracey Anne Booth of Hastings was arrested during the last week of January for allegedly slapping her pregnant daughter while in a drunken state, according to news articles at Mlive.com. On January 30, police were called to the 1000 block of East Mill Street at approximately 8 p.m. after receiving a domestic violence complaint.

The woman’s daughter is 17 years old and pregnant; according to police, she told officers her mother assaulted her. Tracey Booth told police that she slapped the back of her daughter’s head because she was being disrespectful.

A preliminary breath test was performed and indicated that at the time of the incident, Booth’s BAC (blood alcohol content) was .18 percent. Although Booth was not operating a vehicle, this is more than twice the legal limit of .08 for motorists in Michigan. Booth was arrested and charged with domestic violence.

Many people associate domestic violence with arguments and physical violence that occurs between spouses or partners who live together. The fact is, an individual may be charged with this misdemeanor criminal offense when the altercation involves a resident of the household.

Domestic violence may be charged as domestic assault or aggravated domestic assault. With domestic assault, the victim does not have to be injured to bring charges against an alleged perpetrator. If it is the defendant’s first offense, he or she will face criminal penalties which include a $500 fine, up to 93 days in jail, or both if convicted. A conviction will also result in a criminal record which can impact an individual’s career, future employment opportunities, and other aspects of his or her life.

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Recently, 36-year-old Terrill Ian Hardaway was charged with second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Detroit DJ Tony Jackson. Jackson was a disc jockey at Four Winds, a bar located in the 19300 block of Schoolcraft. Hardaway is a Detroit firefighter.

News reports at Mlive.com state that on December 29, Hardaway went into the bar at approximately 12:30 a.m. An argument with 41-year-old Jackson ensued, although the motive is not known. A statement by Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office officials said that security personnel at the bar interrupted an altercation that had become verbal and physical. The two men were taken outside the bar after being separated. Prosecutors allege that once the two men were outside, Hardaway continued to be the aggressor; both men ultimately took out handguns and fired at each other.

Hardaway was struck in the shoulder; both men were taken to the hospital where the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Hardaway’s injuries were treated and he was released.

Hardaway was charged with felonious use of a firearm in addition to second-degree murder, which carries a maximum sentence of life for those convicted. A preliminary exam is scheduled for February 25. A $500,000, 10 percent bond was set on Tuesday for Hardaway however he appealed the bond which was reduced to $150,000, 10 percent by 36th District Court Judge Ronald Giles.

While second-degree murder is a criminal offense considered less serious than first-degree murder, it is still a very serious crime which could leave the defendant facing up to life in prison.

All types of murder not considered first-degree murder are defined as second-degree murder according to Michigan Penal Code 750.317. While the maximum penalty is the same for both (life in prison), those accused of second-degree murder ultimately leave their future in the hands of the jury if convicted. The jury may decide on a prison term of any number of years to life.

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Eldon Huffman, a 64-year-old Spring Arbor area resident, is accused of killing his son on January 22 of this year. Huffman and his son Jared shared a home in Spring Arbor Township; Huffman maintains that he acted in self-defense when he shot his son, who was struck twice and died from injuries to his head and leg. He has been released from jail on a $25,000 bond.

News reports at Mlive.com say that Eric White, Huffman’s defense attorney, claims his client has lived in the area for a long time, has little criminal history, and poses no danger to the community. Huffman has been charged with open murder and using a firearm to commit a crime. While released from jail, Huffman is required to wear a tether so that he can be electronically monitored.

Huffman and his son, who was 31 years old, apparently became involved in a dispute at the home the two shared. Huffman called 911 at approximately 5 a.m. on the day of the incident.

A preliminary exam has been scheduled for February 5. If charged and convicted of first-degree murder, Huffman could spend the rest of his life in prison.

When charged with open murder, whether an individual will face first- or second-degree murder charges is determined by the jury. First-degree murder is the most serious of all homicide charges, leaving a defendant facing potential life in prison if convicted. Second-degree murder results in a sentence of any number of years to life in prison.

Michigan criminal defense lawyers understand what is at stake for those accused of murder. It may be that Huffman’s attorney will be able to prove his client acted in self defense. Should prosecutors offer the defendant a plea deal and Huffman accepts, it could also result in reduced criminal penalties.

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On Sunday January 26, 37-year-old Amber Alexander was found dead in the driveway of her home. Alexander allegedly sustained a knife cut to the throat and head trauma after becoming involved in an argument over crack cocaine with 26-year-old Brian R. Turner of Flint. Turner is now facing charges of first-degree murder in Alexander’s death, according to news reports at Mlive.com.

Flint police Sgt. Jason Cate testified that Turner and Alexander were smoking crack cocaine in the defendant’s car when the victim accused him of stealing drugs. Turner then cut Alexander when a struggle ensued during the argument. The defendant went inside Alexander’s house where he retrieved a hammer, came back outside and allegedly struck Alexander in the face and head multiple times.

Michigan State Police received a description of Turner and troopers began to search for him; he was apprehended shortly thereafter near I-75 in the area of Corunna Road. Upon searching his vehicle, police located the victim’s purse, a hammer and knife, and what appeared to be blood.

In addition to first-degree murder, Turner is facing charges of maintaining a drug vehicle and home invasion.

First-degree murder is an extremely serious charge, leaving the accused potentially facing life in prison if convicted. Undoubtedly in this case the crime was committed in the heat of an argument; individuals who engage in drug activity or consume substantial amounts of alcohol often find themselves facing criminal charges, as circumstances often spiral out of control when illicit substances or alcohol alter someone’s state of mind and ability to reason.

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On Monday, January 27 a Traverse City man was charged with involuntary manslaughter for the death of his girlfriend on November 19 of last year. 33-year-old Robert Caldwell claims that he was attempting suicide when he fatally shot 28-year-old Monica Anderson.

According to news reports at Mlive.com, Caldwell and Anderson shared a Traverse City apartment. Caldwell told police that he was attempting to shoot himself as he stood on a stairwell in the building, and that as he shot the gun he flinched which caused the bullet to travel in the direction of where Anderson was. After performing an in-depth investigation into the incident, law enforcement officials believe the shooting of Anderson was an accident according to Prosecutor Bob Cooney, who said the defendant had been cooperative since he was arrested. Caldwell dialed 911 on the evening of November 19 to report his suicide attempt and the fact that the bullet accidentally struck his girlfriend.

Caldwell is also charged with felony firearm, resisting and obstructing police, and discharge of a firearm while under the influence. He is scheduled to be arraigned January 28.

In the state of Michigan all homicide charges should be taken seriously; harsh penalties await those who are convicted. While first-degree murder is the most serious homicide charge, involuntary manslaughter occurs when another person is killed without intent. Even though the death may have been an unintended accident, the criminal penalties are severe and according to Michigan Penal Code 750.321 include a fine of up to $7,500, up to 15 years in prison, or both.

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