Michigan Criminal Lawyers Blog
On Tuesday, August 25, a Detroit Police Officer who had been suspended after being accused of a drive-by shooting at a Ray Township assisted-living home was sentenced to prison. Clifford E. Gullion now faces a minimum of three years in prison, and termination from the Detroit Police Dept. is underway, according to a news article at Mlive.com.
Gullion allegedly opened fire on the assisted-living facility located near 29 Mile and Romeo Plank in April using a .40-caliber gun. He had been on medical leave from the police department for several months at the time the incident occurred. No one was hit by the gunfire.
The motive for the shooting appeared to be a dispute Gullion’s wife had with the husband of a patient living at the home; his wife is an in-home caretaker.
Gullion agreed to a plea deal with prosecutors and pleaded guilty to felony use of a firearm and discharging a weapon into a building. He was sentenced to two years for the firearm charge, and between one and eight years for the weapon discharging charge. At a minimum, he will serve three years in prison. Gullion worked in the Ninth Precinct, and began his career with the Detroit Police Dept. in 2009.
Unlawful discharge of a weapon charges are extremely serious, with penalties that may include jail/prison time, fines, probation, and firearms restrictions depending on the state in which the crime occurred, and other factors such as whether a home or building was occupied at the time of the shooting. When the safety or lives of others are put at risk, penalties are typically more severe.
No matter how serious a crime may seem, every person who is charged with a criminal offense is innocent until proven guilty. In some instances, it may be beneficial to the defendant to accept a plea deal with prosecutors; in others, it may be best to go to trial and fight. It all depends on the circumstances of each individual case. There are occasions on which a skilled Michigan criminal defense attorney can get charges completely dismissed.
To learn about your legal options and how to obtain the best possible outcome in your particular case, consult with an experienced defense lawyer who will work to protect your legal rights and freedom.