Michigan Criminal Lawyers Blog

January 17, 2013

Detroit Man Arrested in Alleged Brutal Beating of Girlfriend

Recently, Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office detectives apprehended Michael Glenn of Ypsilanti Township, who had been wanted since November when it was believed he attempted to murder his girlfriend after she decided to break off the couple’s relationship.

News sources state that detectives had been in pursuit of Glenn since November 27, after he was accused of stabbing and hitting his girlfriend, then running her over with her own vehicle. Derrick Jackson, spokesman for the sheriff’s office, said that Glenn’s girlfriend went to his home in the 2300 block of McKinley Road, intending to end the relationship and pick up some of her possessions which were at Glenn’s home. Glenn allegedly got inside the vehicle and an argument ensued.

The Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office approved a warrant for Glenn’s arrest the following day, stating that if apprehended he would be charged with seven counts including unlawful imprisonment and domestic violence, two counts of assault with intent to murder, and two counts of assault with intent to do great bodily harm.

While the two were arguing in the vehicle, Glenn allegedly stabbed his girlfriend in the face numerous times with an unknown object, and began strangling her to the point that she blacked out. Glenn then reportedly dragged her out of the vehicle and ran over her several times. At that point, he tried to place her in the trunk, but she came to and fought back, eventually convincing Glenn that she would stay with him. The woman ran to a neighbor’s home after Glenn went inside the house to get something, and deputies were called. Before they could arrive at the scene, Glenn fled the area in the victim’s vehicle.

The woman was in serious but stable condition following the altercation, and was treated at a local hospital. Glenn was eventually apprehended after being on the lam for weeks. After receiving a tip about Glenn’s location just days ago, he is incarcerated at the Washtenaw County Jail where he remains on a $250,000 bond. A preliminary exam is scheduled for January 22 at 8:30 a.m.

Glenn will undoubtedly face serious criminal penalties if convicted of the charges against him; Michigan criminal defense attorneys know that individuals charged with serious or violent crimes must have a skilled lawyer who will work vigorously to protect their legal rights and freedom.

January 17, 2013

Appeal Hearing to Proceed for Drive-by Murder Defendants

by Scott Grabel

In 2011, three men were convicted on charges of murder in a 2002 drive-by murder in Adrian. The Michigan Court of Appeals has implemented orders that the defendants, Paul and Peter Daniel, 46, and Leonard Dee McGlown, also 46, may bring motions for a new trial following an appeal hearing later this month.

The defendants are scheduled to go before Judge Margaret M.S. Noe in an evidentiary hearing on January 24 and 25. According to Adrian publication The Daily Telegram, these two dates are when testimony will be heard regarding a defense claim that the case in the 2011 trial was prejudiced due to restraints used in the trial, although the article does not reveal what those restraints were.

A joint trial in October of 2011 ended with guilty verdicts for all three men, who were convicted on charges of first-degree murder and weapons charges. The three defendants were sentenced to terms of mandatory life in prison without the possibility of parole.

A renewed investigation into a 2002 shooting led to the arrest of the three men in 2010. The shooting involved the death of 20-year-old Marcus Newsom of Adrian; it is believed that Newsom was shot as a result of mistaken identity.

On Monday January 7, Judge Noe and Prosecutor Jonathan Poer met with attorneys appointed to represent the defendants for a discussion of the upcoming evidentiary hearing. The defendants were ordered to be present at the upcoming hearing by Judge Noe at a December 3rd hearing.

Michigan murder appeals attorneys know that even those who have already been convicted of a crime may have another chance. Legal errors or mistakes made by the judge or jury can leave innocent people facing serious penalties. Lawyers who specialize in post-conviction services will thoroughly analyze your case to determine if there may be other options that could result in your convicted being overturned.

January 16, 2013

Crackdown on Drug Activity and Violent Crime by ATF and Lansing Police Results in 19 Arrests

by Scott Grabel

Lansing Police and the ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) have been jointly investigating drug activity and violent crime in the northwest Lansing area for approximately two years. As a result of the investigation, 19 people have now been arrested and are facing federal drug and firearm charges.

Lansing Police Chief Teresa Szymanski told reporters that she believed the arrested individuals were responsible for most of the violent crimes that have taken place in Lansing over the past two years.

According to Szymanski, the individuals who were arrested had been involved in all kinds of gun and drug activity, and were working together as a “crew.” A Fox 47 News report stated that Szymanski explained that the individuals were delivering narcotics, shooting guns at people and things, and using guns as felons.

Four of the individuals involved are facing multiple drug charges according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Gregory Dalton, 23, DeShun Dalton, 21, Merza Mizori, 23, and Serawan Mizori, 22, face charges including possessing crack cocaine and marijuana and conspiring to deliver those drugs, and heroin possession with intent to deliver.

Others involved include Keith Houston, 22, who is charged with receiving a firearm while under indictment for a felony drug offense, and Jerome Houston, who faces for firearm possession as a convicted felon. 26-year-old Brandon Jones was charged as a convicted felon with possessing firearms, which included an SKS rifle. Kevin Henry, 43, and Demanual Porter, 24, will face charges related to drug dealing. The names of other individuals allegedly involved in the crimes have not yet been released.

Mayor Virg Bernero stated that Lansing streets would be safer following the arrests of the 19 individuals, who he said were involved in “all sorts of bad things.”

Michigan criminal defense attorneys know that if convicted, many of these individuals will face severe penalties, including substantial prison time. News reports indicate that some will face up to 20 years in prison.

Many of the individuals allegedly involved in these crimes are very young; if convicted, their lives are essentially ruined. Young people often make terrible mistakes, particularly when it comes to drug crimes. However, there are many instances in which individuals who commit these types of crimes deserve a second chance, or rehabilitation rather than punishment.

January 14, 2013

Lansing Gang Members Suspected in Death of Woman to Avoid Death Penalty

by Scott Grabel

Lansing gang members accused of killing a woman in July of 2010 will not face the death penalty, according to news reports. Shayla Johnson was killed in the course of a robbery at her Lansing home on July 23, 2010. While no explanation was offered, West Michigan federal prosecutors were notified by U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder that the death penalty would not be sought in the case in which a violent street gang known as the “Block Burners” allegedly killed the woman. The killing is said to be drug-related.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim VerHey stated in court documents that the United States would not be seeking the death penalty in the case. The letter from Holder to the Michigan federal prosecutors stated that, “You are authorized and directed not to seek the death penalty against Mustafa Abdul-Qadir Al-Din, Walee Abdullazeem Al-Din, Charles Kunta Lewis Sr., and Ralphael Remier Crenshaw.” Another defendant in the case who is awaiting trial, Nicholas Brown, is also included in the order.

A trial in the case is expected this year. The Lansing State Journal reported that the victim, who was 19 years old at the time of the crime, was thrown into the trunk of a car and shot numerous times after being dragged from her home on Lenore Street. The gang members, according to court testimony, had allegedly planned to kidnap Johnson and rob her of marijuana.

Members of the Block Burners gang had allegedly committed several acts of violence separate from this incident, many of which involved guns and were carried out in an effort to obtain drug money and drugs. The charges against the men of committing a drug-trafficking crime using a gun could have led to the death penalty.

Charges of drug trafficking can leave individuals who are convicted facing up to life in prison, depending on the amount of drug involved. In this case, the fact that someone was killed in a plot to rob someone of drugs complicates things even further. Michigan criminal defense attorneys know that these are extremely serious charges, and that without effective legal counsel individuals will generally face the harshest possible penalties.

January 11, 2013

Dearborn Priest Faces Drunk Driving While Nude Charges; Pleads No Contest

by Scott Grabel

Recently, Reverend Peter Petroske pleaded no contest to charges filed against him last summer for driving drunk while naked. Petroske was placed on administrative leave from the Sacred Heart Catholic Church by the Archdiocese of Detroit. He was order to pay $1,200 in fines along with court costs, ordered to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and sentenced to 12 months’ probation. While it isn’t mentioned in news reports, it is likely that the priest’s driver’s license was suspended, another penalty those who are charged with drunk driving face.

Michigan drivers license restoration attorneys know that while to some, having their license suspended may seem like the least of their worries, it’s far more serious than it appears on the surface. Being without a driver’s license seriously impacts your life, making it illegal to drive. This impacts an individual’s life in many ways, as driving is a necessary privilege in order to attend school, get to work, doctors appointments, etc.

A pretrial hearing was scheduled for Petroske on October 25 of 2012, but he did not appear due to the fact that he had voluntarily checked himself in to an in-patient alcohol rehabilitation center. Judge Richard Wygonik ordered that Petroske attend the next scheduled hearing on December 27, which he did. Petroske declined addressing the court when asked by the judge if he wished to.

On August 2, 2012, Petroske was pulled over near Sacred Heart near Garrison and Howe streets. He reportedly told officers when questioned about being naked that “I was uh . . . hot . . . I like to drive around naked. I don’t know what to say . . . I’m embarrassed.”

In the state of Michigan, a blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent or higher is considered drunk; Petroske’s measured 0.09 percent. Petroske was apprehended when an unnamed man called 911 to report that he saw someone driving naked near Michigan Avenue and Telegraph Road.

It isn’t often that you read a story like this, but it is an unfortunate incident that no doubt Petroske regrets.

January 11, 2013

Detroit Man’s Appeal in Robbery Case Denied

by Scott Grabel

Isaac Decrais Harris was convicted in 2005 by a jury on firearms and armed robbery charges. He recently sought to appeal the conviction, which he is serving a 14 to 30 year prison term for. Harris denied that he was the individual who robbed a Clark gasoline station in Adrian. News reports indicate that a video recording from a security camera at the location reveal the face of the individual who robbed the gas station, although they do not state that it is Harris, who denies it is his face in the video.

On January 7, 2013, Lenawee County Prosecutor Burke Castleberry announced that the Michigan Supreme Court refused to hear Harris’s appeal. An order from the court stated that Harris had failed to establish a claim.

Michigan theft and property crime appeals attorneys understand that individuals who are convicted on charges of robbery, shoplifting and other theft-related crimes face serious penalties, and often ruined lives. Not only might an individual face prison or jail time and monetary fines, a criminal record can make employers reluctant to hire that individual; it is also likely to affect a current career or job. Additionally, any time a criminal background check is run on someone with a criminal conviction, it makes it difficult for that person to obtain a scholarship, purchase or rent a home, even get approved for a loan. Essentially, it affects the individual’s entire life.

The penalties an individual faces when convicted on theft or property crimes may vary depending on a number of factors, including the individual’s criminal history, whether a weapon was involved, the amount of property or money taken, and more. When a weapon is used in the commission of a crime or a threat even implies that the individual has a weapon (even if it is not true), penalties will be substantially more severe if that person is convicted.

If you have been convicted on a robbery charge, you may believe that you must simply serve out your sentence, and that nothing further can be done. However, this is not the case in some circumstances. It may that you are eligible to appeal your sentence, or file a motion for Ginther Hearing if you believe you were convicted due to inadequate or ineffective counsel.

January 10, 2013

Judges Can Be Wrong – Why You Should Consult With a Michigan Criminal Appeals Lawyer

by Scott Grabel

There are countless instances in which criminal defendants in Michigan have been convicted of a crime when in fact they are innocent. In many cases, even someone who is guilty has been penalized far more harshly than necessary. This means that not only does the defendant suffer, his or her family does as well. Judges are not always right in their rulings. Whether you have been convicted on charges related to sex crimes, drunk driving, homicide, drug possession or any criminal offense, having a Michigan criminal appeals lawyer on your side can often result in having a guilty verdict reversed.

Why do these “mistakes” happen? Sometimes there are mistakes made by a defense lawyer in the process of defending his or her client at trial. Other times judges hand down punishment that is simply too harsh in comparison to the crime committed. Michigan criminal appellate attorneys are extremely knowledgeable in these matters, and can scrutinize a criminal case in order to determine if a basis may exist for having an inappropriate sentence reversed, or even a conviction overturned. Essentially, convicted defendants are given another opportunity to present their case in front of a higher court in the criminal appeals process; these courts include the Michigan Supreme Court, the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Michigan Court of Appeals.

The fact is, appealing a verdict or sentencing is a very common practice in criminal cases. However, it is essential that you choose a capable, experienced attorney who has dealt with these types of situations many times, as they are often complex in nature. Often times, a criminal appellate lawyer who is not familiar with your case can carefully analyze the situation, and potentially uncover details that were missed initially simply due to the fact that there is a “fresh” set of eyes perusing the information – and important details are often missed by those who are involved in a case from beginning to end, as it’s easy to get mired down in the details, and even complacent – which means inadvertently overlooking vital information.

January 10, 2013

Robber Snags Three Bags of Cash in Bold Midday McDonald’s Robbery in Rochester

by Scott Grabel

On Monday, a McDonald’s restaurant located at 808 S. in Rochester Hills was robbed at approximately 12:50 p.m. The alleged crime has been called “bold” in news reports, because it occurred during the noon hour, one of the busiest times of the day.

The robber left the scene with three green bank bags, although the amount of cash taken was not revealed, according to Oakland County sheriff’s deputies. Police say the man who alleged robbed the fast-food restaurant was dressed in a black hoodie and black hat, and that he was about 5 foot 5 inches tall.

An employee at the McDonald’s restaurant told deputies that it was believed that the robber was armed, although no one actually saw a gun or weapon.

The area where the robbery occurred is an affluent neighborhood in Oakland County. News sources state that the man fled the scene of the robbery, then entered a 4-door Pontiac Grand Prix which was grey in color. The sheriff’s report said that the suspect was last seen driving toward a nearby fitness center.

Securities cameras located inside the McDonald’s are being reviewed by the sheriff’s office, who said it was uncertain how many customers were on the premises at the time. No injuries were reported during the robbery.

Michigan criminal defense attorneys know that the fact of whether an individual is armed when committing a robbery is a huge factor in the penalties that individual will face if convicted. When it is a first offense, an individual convicted on a charge of unarmed robbery will typically face a sentence of up to 15 years in prison. However, if it is found that an individual committed armed robbery, the penalties are far worse; even if that individual had no weapon but conveyed that he or she had a weapon on his or her person, that individual could be put in prison for life.

January 9, 2013

‘Famous’ MMA Fighter Possibly Facing 15 Years Behind Bars for Home Invasion, Other Charges

by Scott Grabel

Richard Bastuba gained fame in Michigan and was the subject of many local radio shows after he subdued an unruly fan at a 2009 Detroit Lions game. Now, the 41-year-old Mixed Martial Arts fighter known as “Righteous Rick” may be facing as much as 15 years in prison after being charged with conspiracy to commit second-degree home invasion, and receiving and concealing stolen property between $1,000 and $20,000.

Bastuba, who is 41 years old, pleaded no contest to the charges late in 2012. Deputies allege that a home invasion was reported to their office in September of 2011, and that Bastuba was involved. According to news reports, the alleged victim of the home invasion reported to deputies that over the course of a few months, his home had been broken into several times and that during these break-ins, valuable comic books had been stolen.

Bastuba was eventually arrested following a lengthy investigation; two juveniles were also arrested. Following an attempt to sell the stolen comic books to deputies who were undercover at a Biggby location in Ann Arbor, Bastuba was placed under arrest.

Drew and Mike, WRIF radio personalities, made Bastuba famous in 2009 following an incident at a Detroit Lions game in which a man grabbed the hair of one of Bastuba’s friends; Bastuba then subdued the man by putting him in a chokehold. The radio personalities had Bastuba as a guest on their radio show.

The penalties for home invasion or breaking and entering are severe. As in Bastuba’s case, second-degree home invasion can mean punishment which includes up to 15 years in prison and fines of as much as $3,000. If an individual is found guilty of first-degree home invasion, he or she may face up to 20 years behind bars, and be ordered to pay a $5,000 fine. Michigan criminal defense lawyers know that penalties may become even more harsh if the individual has a prior criminal record.

January 8, 2013

Lansing Man Charged with Murder in Death of 3-Month-Old Daughter

by Scott Grabel

John Harold Sanders, a 37-year-old Lansing man, was charged on Monday in the death of his 3-month-old daughter, who died at a Lansing’s Sparrow hospital on Friday, January 4. Sanders was arraigned in 54A District Court on Monday on charges of first-degree child abuse and murder. If convicted, he could face life in prison.

The scene unfolded on Friday when Lansing police were dispatched to the hospital after medical personnel found the baby, Janayjah Sanders, had serious internal injuries according to Capt. Daryl Green. The infant was pronounced dead at 10:35 p.m. On Saturday, police announced that the infant’s suspicious death was under investigation. Possible witnesses are being interviewed in order for police to determine how the baby may have been injured.

Sanders faces charges as a fourth-time habitual offender, as he has numerous past convictions according to news reports. In 2005, Sanders was convicted in Oklahoma on a charge of second-degree burglary. In 2011, the suspect was convicted on drug possession charges in Eaton County according to court records. Sanders is being held in the Ingham County Jail without bond, and has requested a court-appointed lawyer.

The preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled for January 17 in front of 54A District Court Judge Hugh Clarke Jr. Individuals with any information pertaining to this case are asked to contact Detective Shannon Thielen at 517-483-6858.

This is a very sad and unfortunate situation; however, Michigan murder defense lawyers understand there are often extenuating circumstances which may affect the outcome for the individual charged with a serious crime such as murder. Regardless of the circumstances, it is important that individuals accused of crimes that could leave them facing a lifetime behind bars consult with an attorney immediately.