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Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Vincent Bright - Defendant charged with taking his father's dead body from a cemetery and placing it in a freezer. Today Judge Chylinski sentenced the defendant, on the charge of Disinterment of a Body, to18 months probation with mental health treatment.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

All Charges Dismissed Against Higher Brothers

On September 25, 2013, Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy has determined that the1987 homicide case against brothers Raymond and Thomas Highers will be dismissed. The case was scheduled to go to trial on October 8, 2013. "Just as we did 26 years ago, we firmly believe in the evidence in this case. We have worked diligently to bring this case to trial. With the passage of time it is an unfortunate reality that this case cannot be put back together and we must dismiss it. Sadly, in this case justice was not done," said Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy.

In 1987 the Highers brothers were charged with Felony Murder , Assault with Intent to Murder and Felony Firearm in connection with the homicide of Robert Karey that occurred in the same year in Detroit. In 1988, after a trial decided by then Judge Terrance Boyle both men were convicted as charged. and served 25 years in prison. On July 26, 2012, Judge Lawrence Talon threw out the convictions and granted a motion for a new trial in the matter. After a bond hearing on August 13, 2012, both men were released on a 10.000/10% bond and were placed on a tether. Today, following a motion by the prosecution, all of the charges were dismissed by Judge Lawrence Talon.

Friday, September 27, 2013

Four Charged in BP Gas Station Assault

Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy has charged four defendants in connection with the and assault on two men that occurred on September 23, 2013 at 2:20 p.m. at a BP gas station located in the 800 block of East Seven Mile Road. The victims are a 64-year-old and a 58-year-old, both men are Detroit residents. It is alleged that Donrico Hawkins, 32, of Detroit punched the 64-year-old in the face and when the 58-year-old came to the aid of his friend, Cortez Hawkins, 31 and Juan Hawkins, 32 both of Detroit, began punching the 58-year-old. The three Hawkins are alleged to have beaten and kicked both victims in the head and about their bodies. Donrico Hawkins left the scene on foot and Cortez and Juan Hawkins were driven from the scene by Dominique Neal, 28, of Detroit.* The 64-year-old male was taken by medics to the hospital and treated for his injuries.

The defendants have been charged as follows:

DEFENDANT #1 - DONRICO HAWKINS A/K/A CORTEZ HAWKINS 32 (DOB 4/17/81), of Detroit
2 Counts of Assault with Intent to do Great Bodily Harm

DEFENDANT #2 - CORTEZ HAWKINS A/K/A SEVEREUS TUNSTULL, 31 (DOB 5/10/82), of Detroit
2 Counts of Assault with Intent to do Great Bodily Harm 1 Count of Felonious Assault

DEFENDANT #3 - JUAN HAWKINS,32 (DOB 12/15/80), of Detroit
2 Counts of Assault with Intent to do Great Bodily Harm
1 Count of Felonious Assault

DEFENDANT #4 - DOMINIQUE NEAL, 28 (DOB 2/1/85), of Detroit
2 Counts of Accessory After the Fact to Assault with Intent to Do Great Bodily Harm and Felonious Assault

The defendants are expected to be arraigned in 36th District Court today at 1:00 p.m. Please contact the Detroit Police Department for photographs of the defendants.

*We do not know if the defendants are related to each other at this time.

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We were not advised by the 36th District Court that this arraignment would occur at 10:30 this morning. We were unable to confirm information with the Court or the police official handling the case. The information that appears below was obtained from the Court computer. Updated information is highlighted below.

Detroit Male Charged in Hit and Run of Child

Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy has charged Alfonso Butler, 47 (DOB 11/4/65), in connection with a car crash that killed 8-year-old Darrin Wilhite. The defendant and the victim resided in Detroit. It is alleged that on September 24, 2013 at 7:05 p.m., Butler was driving his Ford Explorer over the speed limit on West Chicago and Abington Avenue, crashing into Wilhite while he was riding on his bicycle. It is further alleged that Butler failed to stop and continued driving while dragging the child's bicycle under his vehicle. The victim was transported to a local hospital and pronounced dead.

Butler has been charged with Leaving the Scene of an Injury Accident Causing Death, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. He was arraigned in 36th District Court today and received a 150,000/10% bond. Butler's preliminary examination is scheduled for October 9, 2013, before Judge Michael E. Wagner.

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