Michigan Criminal Lawyers Blog
Recently, a 58-year-old Milford woman was charged with the murder of her 68-year-old husband, who was suffering from dementia according to an article at People.com. Yvonne Helen Cortis allegedly bludgeoned Gregory Cortis using a metal rod, then attacked the couple’s dog.
The incident occurred on November 30. While Cortis sustained multiple fatal injuries to his head and torso due to blunt force trauma, the 11-year-old golden Labrador retriever, Carly, survived the beating.
A news report at the Detroit Free Press reveals Cortis used a crowbar to beat her husband and the couple’s dog. She reportedly called 911, and told the dispatcher there was a man and dog inside her home in the 1300 block of Nortoon with serious injuries that she had caused. When talking to investigators, Cortis told them that both Gregory Cortis and the dog were sick, and that she put them out of their misery.
It was also learned at Cortis’ arraignment that there had been domestic issues at the home, that Adult Protective Services had been called, and that Yvonne Cortis refuses to take medication for mental health issues.
Yvonne Cortis had not entered a plea at the time of news reports, and is being held on $1 million bail. Police said they expected she would face charges of open murder.
Murder is the most serious crime an individual may be charged with. If found guilty, defendants will face the harshest possible criminal penalties depending on whether the charge is first- or second-degree murder, voluntary or involuntary manslaughter, or negligent homicide. A conviction for first-degree murder will result in a life prison term. Even in cases involving voluntary or involuntary manslaughter, the accused may face up to 15 years behind bars.
When charged with murder, it is critical to obtain the legal support and guidance of a skilled Michigan criminal defense lawyer who will fight aggressively on your behalf. In a murder case, the stakes are extremely high; your freedom could be taken away forever. There are legal options in some cases that may be explored in order to minimize the damage; do not face prosecution without a capable defense attorney.