Michigan Criminal Lawyers Blog

August 3, 2015

Oregon Man Arrested on DUI, Firearms Charges

On Saturday evening, a 36-year-old Portland man was pulled over after he almost struck a police car in the SUV he was driving, according to a recent article at KGW.com.

Sabahudin Nuhanovic was driving his SUV in the area of Southeast Powell Blvd. near 137th Ave. when he crossed into oncoming traffic, almost hitting a police vehicle according to local police. Officers pulled Nuhanovic over, and upon approaching him said that he reached for his waistband numerous times before they could take him into custody. Once the suspect was in police custody, an unloaded handgun was found in Nuhanovic’s waistband according to Portland police Sgt. Pete Simpson.

Upon searching the suspect’s vehicle, police found a shotgun, an additional handgun, and ammunition. Simpson said that Nuhanovic was also under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested on charges of DUI, reckless driving, two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, and unlawful possession of a firearm.

July 31, 2015

Wilson Township Man Faces Several Criminal Charges Following Domestic Dispute

by Scott Grabel

Recently, 51-year-old Richard France was arrested on several weapons and other charges after he attempted to shoot out the tires of a vehicle containing two passengers during a domestic assault.

According to a news report at Up North Live, France, a resident of East Jordan in Charlevoix County, used an assault rifle in the incident, which occurred on Monday, July 27. At just after 8:30 p.m. deputies were called to the area of Healey and Jaquay Roads in Wilson Township, the report involving a domestic assault according to a news release from Charlevoix County Sheriff Don Schneider.

Officers encouraged France to surrender by communicating with him via telephone and negotiated with the suspect, however the alleged victim had escaped the residence before negotiations began. France eventually surrendered to police without incident; there were no reports of injuries.

July 30, 2015

DUI Charges Against Tennessee State Representative Bill Beck Dismissed After Judge Reviews Video

by Scott Grabel

In April of this year, Tennessee State Representative Bill Beck was arrested on charges of driving under the influence. Now, after reviewing a police video of the stop, Cheatham County Judge Phillip Maxey has dismissed the charges against the Nashville Democrat and injury attorney. Beck is partner in a Nashville law firm specializing in personal and work-related injuries, probate estates, and more and is also a certified Civil Trial Specialist.

Beck was returning home following a long night at a comedy show when he was pulled over on suspicion of DUI. According to a news article at WSMV News 4, Beck was pulled over after Metro police officer Bradley Nave passed Beck’s truck and noticed the truck straddle the center lane. The officer then turned around and pulled Beck over. After a field sobriety test that Beck cut short, he was arrested, Nave telling him that he had “way too much to drink to be driving.”

Beck’s attorney maintained that after watching the dash cam video, it was evident that Beck was not drunk. Bryan Lewis said that in the video, “You never see Mr. Beck stumble.” He went on to say that his client did not fall in the video, and that he exited his vehicle perfectly.

July 28, 2015

Drug Dealer, Three Teens Arrested Following Search of Home in Logan, UT

by Scott Grabel

On Tuesday July 21, a search warrant was served by the Cache-Rich Drug Task Force on a home located in Logan, Utah after it was suspected there were illegal drugs in the home located in the area of 300 North and 300 East, according to a news report at HJNews.com.

In all, four individuals were taken to jail. Cameron Sanchez, 21, is believed to be a drug dealer, perhaps the leader of the group of teens who were arrested. Upon executing the search warrant, agents with the drug task force found psilocybin mushrooms, two immature marijuana plants, more then two pounds of cannabis (marijuana), and a substance they referred to as “shatter,” a hard candy like material made from cannabis extract containing THC according to Logan Police Lt. Tyson Budge.

The other three people arrested and booked into the Cache County Jail include Izaya Johnson, 18, Maddison Young, 19, and Samuel Taylor, 19.

July 27, 2015

New Orleans Police Officer Arrested for Drunken Driving, Placed on Immediate Suspension

by Scott Grabel

On July 26, 31-year-old Thomas Ripp was placed on emergency suspension from the New Orleans Police Department after crashing his unmarked police car while allegedly intoxicated in Lake Vista, according to several news reports.

Ripp was assigned to the Homicide Division, and has been with the department for eight years. He was off-duty when he crashed into a cement light pole after striking a curb at approximately 5:40 a.m. on Sunday, according to police.

Although results of a blood test conducted on Ripp were not revealed, NOPD spokesman Tyler Gamble said that Ripp did test over the legal limit for alcohol. He was treated for minor injuries which were not disclosed at a local hospital before being advised of his rights and arrested. No one was in the vehicle with Ripp when the accident occurred.

July 23, 2015

Dallas Man Charged with Manufacture or Delivery of Controlled Substance Following Police Chase

by Scott Grabel

On Friday July 17, a 50-year-old man was arrested in the Dallas area following a police chase that resulted in drug charges.

According to The Dallas Morning News crime blog, Jose Lopez led Mesquite police on a car chase after police spotted him near Belt Line Road and U.S. Highway 80 and attempted to stop the drug suspect. Lt. Brian Parrish, a police spokesman for the Mesquite department, said that Lopez fled from police in a pickup, driving to a neighborhood north of Fair Park. During the chase, Lopez jumped from the pickup, which was still moving. The truck crashed into a fence while Lopez ran on foot.

Eventually a Department of Public Safety helicopter tracked Lopez down, and he was apprehended and arrested by police. At the time of news reports he was being held on $12,500 bail, and had been booked on one count each of manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance and evading arrest in a vehicle. News reports do not indicate what drug or drugs were involved.

July 20, 2015

Long Island Limo Crash Caused by Drunk Driver Ends in Tragedy as Four Bridesmaids Killed

by Scott Grabel

On Saturday July 18, four women were killed and two other seriously injured in a crash involving a limo and a pickup truck, according to a news report at CBS News. The crash occurred in the North Fork of Long Island in Cutchogue; it is believed the driver of the truck was intoxicated. He was arrested following the crash that left the limo nearly cut in half.

The limo was carrying seven women who had just left a local Winery following a bachelorette party. The vehicle was headed eastbound on Route 48 when it was struck by the pickup as it attempted to make a U-turn in a westbound direction. All four of the women who were killed were bridesmaids, and three died on impact while the fourth died later at Taconic Bay Hospital.

The bride and another woman were also in the limo when the crash occurred; both were said to be in critical condition. The man driving the pickup truck, whose name has not been released, was hospitalized for minor injuries to his face.

July 17, 2015

Ferndale Man to Go to Trial on Charges of Felony Assault in Alleged Beating of Friend Over Electric Fan

by Scott Grabel

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.
Continue reading

July 16, 2015

South Carolina Woman’s Appeal of 2012 Murder Conviction Denied

by Scott Grabel

In 2012, Brenda Miles Bratschi of Columbia, SC was convicted of the 2004 murder of her estranged husband, Randy Bratschi. The Bratschi’s lived in a mobile home where the defendant allegedly buried her husband’s body under the home, leaving new owners of the property to find the skeletal remains five years later. According to a news report at SCNow.com, Randy’s remains were found wrapped in a tarp in a shallow grave.

In November of 2004 the couple allegedly had a violent altercation before Randy Bratschi mysteriously disappeared. The couple was involved in a domestic dispute about six weeks prior to the victim’s disappearance in which Brenda reportedly beat her husband with a wooden tire thumper. He was severely injured at that time, and his wife arrested on charges of assault and battery with intent to kill. She was also served a restraining order at that time.
Continue reading

July 14, 2015

Georgia Man Arrested on Drug, Gun Charges after Patrol Officers Hear Loud Music

by Scott Grabel

Recently, a 28-year-old Georgia man was arrested in Delaware after police in Bear were conducting property checks and came across the man as a result of hearing loud music.

According to a news report at Delawareonline.com, Cordeiro McClain of Ellenwood, GA was in the area of the Sparrow Run neighborhood off U.S. 40. Police officers were conducting increased patrols in specific neighborhoods following their weekly Targeted Analytical Policing Systems meeting. Officer First Class Tracey Duffy said that as they approached the vehicle, which was parked at a dead end, officers saw that the driver’s seat was empty and McClain was sitting in the front passenger seat. Another person came out of a nearby residence as police were talking to McClain, claiming the radio in the car was broken.