Michigan Criminal Lawyers Blog

July 6, 2015

Chairman of Alabama Senate Judiciary Committee Arrested for DUI, Seeks Help

On July 1, 44-year-old Senator Cam Ward, R-Alabaster and chairman of the Alabama Senate Judiciary Committee was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence. Ward said on Thursday that he would be seeking professional help after using alcohol as a ‘crutch’ to deal with stress, which resulted in his making what he said were “incredibly reckless decisions.”

According to a news article at the Times Free Press, a call was received at just before 1 p.m. by the Alabaster Police Department regarding a suspected drunk driver on Alabama 119. Not long after, Ward was stopped by an officer just a few miles away at a city ballpark. Police Chief Curtis Rigney said during a brief news conference that Ward failed field sobriety tests that were administered, and “exhibited signs of intoxication.” No details of the arrest were available at the time of news reports; Rigney declined to answer questions regarding the senator’s blood alcohol content. Ward did spend the night in the Shelby County Jail before being freed on $1,000 bond the next day.

Ward had been visiting a vocational school in Bibb County just hours prior to his arrest, and posted a photo of himself during the visit on social media. His vehicle was impounded according to police reports. Prior to his DUI arrest, Ward pleaded guilty to two speeding tickets, one in 1997 and one in 2007.

July 3, 2015

Independence Township Man Charged with First-Degree Murder of Wife to Undergo Psychological Testing

by Scott Grabel

On May 29, 32-year-old Joseph Mauti of Independence Township was taken into custody for allegedly killing his wife, 3-year-old Lindsey Mauti, with a baseball bat. According to news reports at The Oakland Press, Mauti beat his wife and dog in front of the couple’s two young children, a 6-year-old boy and 2-year-old girl. Mauti was scheduled to undergo psychological testing approximately three weeks ago, as ordered by a district court judge.

Judge Kelley Kostin referred Mauti to take criminal responsibility and competency exams during a probable cause conference, setting the murder case for potential review on August 13. Mauti is charged with animal cruelty and first-degree premeditated murder. Lindsey Mauti died of blunt force trauma to the head and other injuries, according to the medical examiner. She was a teacher’s aide at Clarkston schools.

Oakland County Sheriff’s deputies were called to the Mauti’s home after a caller informed authorities that Lindsey had not come to work or called in. The caller said upon going to the Mauti’s home to check on Lindsey, there was no answer at the door, but a child was looking out a window. Upon their arrival, deputies did not get an answer at the door, however they did see what they believed was blood splatter before forcing their way in. The eventually found Mauti on the floor of the garage; she was deceased. Police recovered two baseball bats they suspected may have been the weapons in the crime.

July 2, 2015

Judge Rejects Appeal in Aaron Hernandez Murder Case

by Scott Grabel

In April of this year, 25-year-old Aaron Hernandez, former tight end for the New England Patriots, was found guilty of first-degree murder in the June 2013 shooting of Odin Lloyd in a deserted industrial park. Lloyd was allegedly dating the sister of Hernandez’s fiancée, according to a news article at NBC. Hernandez was sentenced to life in prison without parole in the shooting death.

When he was arrested, Hernandez had been awarded a $40 million contract with the New England Patriots, who went on to win the Super Bowl while he was on trial for the murder. Throughout the trial, legal experts claimed the evidence against Hernandez was circumstantial; they also said there was no clear motive for the shooting given to the jury. Prosecutors revealed a surveillance video taken at the defendant’s home shortly before the shooting in which Hernandez was holding what appeared to be a gun. In addition, a marijuana joint was found near the victim’s body that had both his own and Hernandez’s DNA on it.

While the gun used in the murder was not recovered, Shaynna Jenkins, Hernandez’s fiancée, did testify that he asked her to remove a large box located in the basement of their home. Jenkins testified that she never looked to see what was inside the box, and that she put it in a Dumpster. Defense attorneys did not argue that Hernandez was present when Lloyd was shot, but said two others who were present at the time committed the crime. Defense attorney James Sultan said that Hernandez was simply a 23-year-old kid at the time who didn’t know what to do upon witnessing a shocking killing.

June 30, 2015

Largest Drug Bust in New Hampshire’s Recent History Following Shooting of Woman

by Scott Grabel

Recently, a 24-year-old woman was shot in her apartment in what was reportedly an attempted home invasion. According to CBS Boston, Jeanette Hardy was shot on June 22; she was treated for injuries that were said not to be life threatening.

When police arrived at the scene, they discovered almost 2,000 grams of heroin in Hardy’s apartment. This discovery led to an investigation involving numerous law enforcement agencies. Over a four-day time period, authorities seized 22 kilograms of heroin and Fentanyl, said to have a street value of more than $2 million.

Three people were arrested; police also seized $226,000 in cash, two vehicles, and four handguns. A manufacturing plant located underground at a home in Lawrence, Mass was also discovered during the investigation. Those involved in the investigation included Manchester, NH police, Massachusetts State Police, and the New England Division of the DEA.

June 29, 2015

Huntington Beach Suspected DUI Crash Results in Death of 14-year-old Boy

by Scott Grabel

On Friday, June 26 a 39-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of DUI in Huntington Beach following a multi-vehicle crash that resulted in the death of a 14-year-old boy; two other teens were also injured in the collision, according to a news report at KTLA 5.

The crash occurred Thursday evening when a 2000 Nissan Frontier traveling southbound on Newland Street struck a 2004 Toyota Tacoma that was traveling in a northbound direction, sending the Tacoma into a light pole. The Nissan then struck a GMC that was stopped in westbound lanes on Adams Avenue at the intersection of Newland St. and Adams Avenue. Police responded to the scene after 911 dispatchers received a call about a driver in the area who was possibly drunk.

The 14-year-old boy who lost his life was a passenger inside the Toyota, which police officials said sustained major damage to its passenger side. The teen was rushed to an area hospital by the Huntington Beach Fire Dept. paramedics after heavy rescue equipment had to be used to free him from the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at a later time at the hospital.

June 26, 2015

21-year-old Man to Face Trial in April Gas Station Shooting in Ypsilanti

by Scott Grabel

On Thursday June 25, a trial date was set for 21-year-old Arnell Devontae Lincoln, one of two men accused of opening fire at a vehicle while at a gas station in Ypsilanti. In April, Lincoln and 25-year-old Antonio Frank Thomas allegedly shot at a man in a red Taurus who was pumping gas at a station located in the 500 block of South Huron Street. The alleged target was not injured, however a minivan that was in the vicinity reportedly got caught up in the gunfire.

One of the two adults who were inside the minivan at the time was reportedly injured by a bullet fragment; there were also two children inside the vehicle. According to a news article at Mlive.com, it is believed a disagreement between Lincoln and Thomas and the man in the red Taurus led to the shooting. Thomas is considering a plea deal, while Lincoln is scheduled to go to trial on September 28 on charges of assault with intent to murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, felony firearm, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and carrying a concealed weapon.

Antonio Thomas requested a three-week adjournment to discuss a possible plea deal. He is facing identical charges to those of Lincoln, with one additional count of assault with intent to murder, and an additional count of assault with a dangerous weapon.

June 25, 2015

Utah Doctor Appeals Conviction for Murdering Wife

by Scott Grabel

In 2013, Martin MacNeill was convicted of killing his wife by dosing his wife with drugs and leaving her to drown in the bathtub. According to news reports, MacNeill, who is 59 years old, attempted to “off” his wife, Michele MacNeill, by giving her drugs prescribed following a cosmetic surgery she had so that he could begin a new life with his alleged mistress, Gypsy Willis. Michele MacNeill was found dead in the bathtub in 2007.

Pill bottles on shelf

The murder came as a shock to the Mormon community of Pleasant Grove in Utah, where MacNeill was a father of eight, former bishop in his local congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and a doctor and lawyer.

June 23, 2015

Tennessee State Trooper Facing Drug Charges After Allegedly Purchasing Narcotics While on Duty

by Scott Grabel

47-year-old Mark Williams, a Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper, faces drug charges after he was allegedly observed buying hydrocodone, a narcotic drug, from 64-year-old Elliot Goode, according to a news article at WKRN.com.

Williams was on duty and in uniform when Tennessee Bureau of Investigation agents caught him in the act; the investigation had begun earlier in the year. Williams has worked with the Highway Patrol since January of 2004, and was placed on discretionary leave with pay following his arrest. All departmental equipment including badges and weapons were confiscated from Williams, according to state officials.

Williams was assigned to Lauderdale County in his position as a state trooper. He and Goode were booked into the county jail, where Williams was held on $10,000 bond and Goode on $7,500 bond.

June 22, 2015

Suspected DUI Driver Arrested in Northridge Following Fatal Accident That Left CSUN Student Dead

by Scott Grabel

On Sunday June 21, a fiery two-car crash in Northridge left 19-year-old Desirae Crystal Crittenden dead at the scene, according to a news report at KTLA 5. She was a student at CSUN (California State University Northridge).

The accident took place at approximately 3:30 a.m. in an intersection at Lindley Avenue and Roscoe Blvd. when a Honda Civic slammed into a red Ford Mustang, striking the driver’s side door with tremendous impact, according to LAPD Detective William Bustos. A desk officer said that in all, two males and three females were injured in the crash, with Crittenden pronounced dead shortly after the accident.

Those involved in the accident were between the ages of 18 and 21, although their names have not been released by authorities. Another passenger who was injured in the crash was not expected to survive at the time of news reports, and was listed in critical condition at an area hospital.

June 19, 2015

14-year-old Teen Boy Could Be Sentenced as Adult in Murder Attempt of Mother

by Scott Grabel

Recently, a 14-year-old Detroit teen was accused of attempting to murder his mother. Tommie Lee Grady has been “adult designated” according to a news article at Mlive.com, which means he may be sentenced as an adult although he will be tried in the juvenile court.

On June 11, Grady’s mother was shot numerous times at the family’s home on Wisconsin in Detroit; it is believed the two were in an argument when he shot at his mother. Police believe Tommie did the shooting, which occurred at around 8 in the evening. Reports claim Tommie also turned the gun on his brother, but fled the scene instead of firing at his brother. His mother was treated at an area hospital and released. On Friday, the teen was apprehended by police in the area of Meyers and Keeler in Detroit.

Tommie Lee Grady is charged with assault with intent to murder, felonious assault, and being a minor in possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. The assault with intent to murder charge carries a maximum life prison term for adults, however Grady’s punishment (which may be a mixture of sentencing allowed for an adult or juvenile) will be determined by the judge. He could be sentenced to life in prison, or a sentence that is less harsh.