Michigan Criminal Lawyers Blog
In late June, 56-year-old Mitchell Moore of Ferndale was charged with assault with intent to cause great bodily harm less than murder when he allegedly beat a friend using a wooden table leg after the two became involved in an argument over an electric fan. According to an article at The Oakland Press, the charge against Moore has now been reduced to felony assault.
On June 27, police were called to a residence on McDowell when it was suspected Moore had attacked a friend. Moore rents an upstairs apartment in the home, and he and the homeowner had allegedly been drinking the day the attack occurred. One of Moore’s friends, a 53-year-old Hazel park man, stopped by the residence to pick up an electric fan he had let Moore borrow. The fan was the man’s mother’s, and she wanted it back. According to police, when the Hazel Park many went upstairs to Moore’s apartment to retrieve his mother’s fan, an argument erupted.
Moore apparently did not want to give his friend the fan, and began beating him with a wooden leg from a table he had been working on. The homeowner said that upon going to the stairway leading to Moore’s apartment, he saw the Hazel Park man and Moore following behind with the wooden table leg. When officers arrived on the scene, the friend was unresponsive and had suffered serious cuts/bruises. He was placed on a respirator upon arrival at an area hospital, where he remained for several days.
Moore’s arraignment on felony assault charges is scheduled for July 28. He was released on a $25,000 bond.
Felony assault is a very serious charge; if convicted, Moore could face a maximum of four years in prison, along with fines of up to $2,000 according to Michigan Penal Code 750.82. However, had the initial charge of assault with intent to commit bodily harm less than murder stood, Moore would have potentially faced up to 10 years in prison if found guilty, along with fines of up to $5,000. Regardless, no one wants to spend a substantial number of years behind bars.
When under investigation or charged with a serious felony crime, it is critical to ensure your rights are protected, and that you have a seasoned criminal lawyer in your corner who will work vigorously to obtain the best possible result. Not everyone charged with a crime is found guilty; often the outcome depends on the quality of defense attorney you choose.