Michigan Criminal Lawyers Blog
Elmore Ray, a 28-year-old Ypsilanti man, was arraigned on February 27 after being accused of firing a shotgun at vehicles on U.S. 23 earlier that morning. Ray was charged with possession of a short-barreled shotgun, carrying a weapon with unlawful intent, four counts of assault with intent to murder, and four counts of assault with intent to commit great bodily harm. The suspect told Magistrate Elisha Fink, “I didn’t assault anybody, I was just . . . ” before she interrupted and advised Ray that he did not have to say anything.
Shortly after midnight on the 27th, Pittsfield Township police responded to reports of a gunman who was aiming at motorists on U.S. 23 just west of Carpenter Road near Michigan Avenue. Deputy Chief Gordy Schick said that witnesses described the man who was shooting at vehicles as being dressed in a black trench coat and black clothes.
According to news reports at AnnArbor.com, there were no injuries to motorists and no vehicles were struck in the gunfire. Witnesses claimed that Ray used a sawed-off shotgun in the shootings. Ray was placed in the Washtenaw County Jail, where he remains on a $20,000 cash bond.
Ray’s attorneys requested that their client be examined in Ypsilanti at the Forensic Center; prosecutors had no objections to the request made by the Washtenaw County public defenders. Judge Richard Conlin ordered Ray to undergo a psychological competency evaluation.
Michigan assault with intent to commit murder attorneys know that if convicted, Ray will face extremely harsh criminal penalties. Even though no one was injured in the incident, the defendant may face any number of years or even life behind bars if found guilty.
If you have been arrested for assault with intent to commit murder, homicide, voluntary or involuntary manslaughter or any serious or violent criminal offense, you must speak with a talented Michigan criminal defense lawyer at once. Without a skilled attorney to provide you with sound legal guidance and support, your future is in jeopardy.