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NEWS UPDATES

Monday, January 28, 2019

Two Charged in Barricaded Gunman Incident on Varjo Street

Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged Deandre Hayes, 33(DOB: 11/29/1985) and Danyell Harris 28, (DOB: 02/11/1990), both of Detroit, in connection with an incident involving a Detroit cab driver that led to a barricaded gunman situation.

On January 26, 2019, a 64-year-old male cab driver drove Harris to a house in the 7100 block of Varjo in Detroit. Upon arrival at the house it is alleged that Harris went inside to retrieve $11 to pay for the cab fare. The cab driver waited for several minutes and honked his horn, but Harris never came back out to pay the fare. It is alleged that Hayes exited the house with a shotgun that he pointed at the cab driver. The cab driver left the location and called 911. When Detroit police officers arrived Hayes refused to exit the house and it became a barricaded gunman situation. Special Response Team members were called to the location, entered the home, and arrested Harris and Hayes.

The defendants have been charged on separate warrants.* Defendant Deandre Hayes has been charged on Case Number 2019701798 with: Felonious Assault and Felony Firearm. Defendant Danyell Harris has been charged on case number 2019701827with one misdemeanor count of False Pretenses less than $200.00.

Both defendants were arraigned on January 28, 2019 before 36th District Court Magistrate Dawn M. White. Defendant Hayes' Probable Cause Conference is scheduled for February 8, 2019 at 8:30 a.m.; the Preliminary Examination is scheduled for February 15, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. Both hearings are before Judge William McConico in 36th District Court. The defendant received a $10,000/10% bond.

Defendant Harris has a Pre-Trial scheduled for February 1, 2019 at 8:30 a.m. before Judge Kenneth King in 36th District Court. The defendant received a $500.00 personal bond.

*The charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

OWI Allegations Involving Precinct Commander - WCPO has just received a not in custody warrant request relating to January 26, 2019 allegations of Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated involving a DPD Precinct Commander. It is currently being reviewed. An updated release will be sent when the review process is completed. No charges will issue on this case today.

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Third Precinct Commander Charged in Alcohol Related Car Incident

Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged Third Precinct Commander Johnny Alfred Thomas, 48, in connection with an alcohol related car incident. On January 26, 2019 at approximately 12:40 a.m. at Mack and St. Antoine, it is alleged that Cmdr. Thomas was operating his department car under the influence of alcohol with his department issued firearm when he was in an accident. It is further alleged that Cmdr. Thomas hit the truck of a 48-year-old man, causing it to impact a third car that left the scene before the police arrived. Officers were dispatched to the scene and placed Thomas under arrest. The 48-year-old man was taken to a local hospital and released several hours later.

Cmdr. Thomas has been charged with Operating While Impaired - Operating with a High BAC above 0.17, contrary to MCL 257.6251C, a 180-day misdemeanor, and Possession of a Firearm while Under the Influence, contrary to MCL 750.237, a 93-day misdemeanor.*

Cmdr. Thomas was arraigned today in 36th District Court and received a $5000/10% bond. His next court date is on February 6, 2019 before Judge Kenneth King in 36th District Court.

*The charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Friday, February 1, 2019

Albert Weathers - Defendant charged in the December 7, 2019 fatal shooting of transgender woman on East McNichols and Brush Street in Detroit. Due to a scheduling conflict his preliminary examination has been changed from today until February 25, 2019, at 1:30 PM before Judge Michael Wagner.

Detroit Man Charged in Southfield Freeway Fatal Shooting

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged Derrick Devon Durham, 24 (DOB: 12/10/1994), of Detroit, in connection with the fatal shooting of three-year-old Christian Miller on the Southfield Freeway in Detroit.

On January 24, 2019 at approximately 7:05 p.m., Detroit Police officers responded to a BP gas station located at the intersection of Plymouth Road and the Southfield Freeway in Detroit. Upon arrival, the officers observed to a 38-year-old Detroit woman, who was the godmother to a Christian Miller, a three-year-old male infant who suffered from a gunshot wound. Medics arrived on the scene and transported him to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injury on January 25, 2019.

Earlier that evening, at approximately 6:40 p.m., the child was seated behind his godmother in the rear passenger area of her car, and her son was on the right rear passenger area, on their way to attend an event in Detroit. While on the northbound Southfield Freeway Service Drive, the female driver noticed a vehicle pull alongside her on the driver side. The woman observed two people in the vehicle. She also observed the other driver raise a right arm and point something. Upon hearing glass shatter, the female driver pulled over, and watched the vehicle exit the freeway. She exited the freeway, pulled into a gas station and called 911 for help.

It is alleged that the defendant was the driver of the second vehicle, and fired a weapon into the woman's vehicle, fatally striking her three-year-old passenger. More complete facts and evidence in the case will be presented at the preliminary examination.Durham has been charged with Open Murder, Discharge from a Vehicle Causing Death, Felon in Possession of a Firearm and three counts of Felony Firearm.* The Probable Cause Hearing is on February 6, 2019 and the Preliminary Examination is on February 13, 2019 before Judge Ronald Giles in 36th District Court. The defendant was remanded to jail.

*The charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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