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NEWS UPDATES*

Monday, November 13, 2017

Prosecutor Worthy Announces Head of New Conviction Integrity Unit

Prosecutor Kym Worthy is officially announcing the selection of former State Appellate Defender Attorney Valerie Newman to lead the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office's new Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU). Ms. Newman will begin serving as Director of the Conviction Integrity Unit today. See entire press release attached.

Dearborn Heights Officer Charged in Fatal Car Crash

On July 14, 2017, Prosecutor Kym Worthy charged Dearborn Heights police officer Larry A. Little, 32, with a misdemeanor warrant for Moving Violation Causing Death in connection with a fatal car crash. On January 1, 2017 at approximately 8:20 p.m., Little was on duty, driving a marked police car with his partner riding in the passenger seat. It is alleged that at the intersection of Van Born and Pelham Roads, Little was travelling at high rate of speed in a 40 mile per hour zone. It is further alleged that the police vehicle's overhead headlights were off and the siren was not activated when Little broadsided the car of Timothy Lee Turner, 59, of Wixom. The victim died from injuries sustained in the car crash. The intersection of Van Born and Pelham Roads borders Taylor, Dearborn Heights and Allen Park. The Dearborn Heights Police Department requested assistance with the investigation of the crash scene from Allen Park officers. The investigation was subsequently turned over to the Michigan State Police Department.

On September 11, 2017, the defense filed a Motion to Dismiss the misdemeanor charge which was heard before Judge Geno Salomone. On October 30, 2017, the court denied the motion to dismiss, and ruled that the act of running the police car without overhead lights and a siren should be assessed under a reckless standard rather than negligence standard. WCPO represented to the court that the charges would be amended to reflect the reckless standard, but the court requested that a new warrant be issued.

On Tuesday, November 7, 2017, Prosecutor Worthy issued a new warrant charging Little with Reckless Driving Causing Death, a felony with a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.* Today Little was processed and arraigned in 23rd District Court in Taylor. He received a $10,000 personal bond. His probable cause conference is scheduled for November 20, 2017 and his preliminary examination is scheduled for November 27, 2017. The misdemeanor charge of Moving Violation Causing Death was dismissed today.
Little is represented by attorney Chris Tomassi. According to the Dearborn Heights Police Department he is on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the case.
*The charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Floyd Galloway - Defendant charged in connection with the sexual assault of a woman in Hines Park in Livonia. Today the defense requested an adjournment until January that was denied by the court. The court adjourned the trial date from November 29, 2017 until December 4, 2017.

Aaron Rashard Stewart, 22, (DOB: 08/21/1995) and Quentin Davon Flemons, 19 (DOB: 05/04/1998) - Both Detroit defendants have been charged in multiple robberies, kidnappings and sexual assaults. In the Detroit and Hamtramck cases, both defendants are scheduled for their Arraignment on the Information on both cases tomorrow, November 15, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. before Third Circuit Court Judge Deborah Thomas in the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice.

In the Highland Park case, both defendants are scheduled for their preliminary examination on November 28, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. before Judge Briget Officer-Hill in 30th District Court in Highland Park

Wednesday, November 16, 2017

Third Suspect Charged in O'Reilly Auto Parts Store Homicide

Today Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged a third woman, Eboni McEwen-Ross, 28 (DOB: 6/15/1989), of Detroit in connection with the homicide of the O'Reilly Auto Parts store manager, James Haller, 69, of Detroit. On November, 9, 2017, Shawnta S. Anderson, 23 (DOB: 05/29/1994), and Leviticus V. Butler, 38, (DOB: 11/09/1978), both of Detroit, were also charged in connection with the same homicide.

Allegations Against Anderson, McEwen and Butler

On November 1, 2017, at approximately 5:25 p.m., at an O'Reilly Auto Parts Store in the 16800 block of Schaefer in Detroit, Mr. Haller was in the back area of the store. A male and a female, employed as cashiers, were behind a counter, assisting a customer in the front of the store. Defendant Anderson walked in and pointed a handgun at the male employee and ordered him on to the floor. Anderson walked around the counter to the cash register, pointed the gun at the female cashier and ordered her to open the register. It is alleged that McEwen-Ross took money out of the cash register. As Anderson walked from behind the counter, Mr. Haller came from the back of the store and said, "Hey!" and Anderson fired a single shot, striking him in the head. McEwen and Anderson fled from the scene in a SUV. Detroit police and medics arrived at the scene shortly after the shooting and transported Mr. Haller to a local hospital for treatment. Approximately two hours later, on the same day, Mr. Haller was pronounced dead.

It is alleged that after Anderson and McEwen-Ross fled the scene Butler acted as an accessory after the fact by assisting Anderson in an effort to help her escape the police. Investigation by the Detroit Police Department led to the arrests of Anderson and Butler. Investigation by the Detroit Police Department led to the identification of McEwen-Ross as a third suspect in the case. On Monday, November 15, 2017, McEwen-Rpss surrendered herself to the police accompanied by her attorney Marlon Evans.

Charges and Arraignment Information for McEwen-Ross

McEwen-Ross is charged with one count of Felony Murder, a felony carrying a penalty of Life in Prison without Parole and two counts of Armed Robbery a felony with a maximum penalty of Life in Prison. Today she was arraigned and remanded to jail in 36th District Court. Her probable cause conference is scheduled for November 29, 2017 at 8:30 a.m. and her preliminary examination is scheduled for December 6, 2017.

Charges and Arraignment Information for Anderson and Butler

Anderson is charged with one count of Felony Murder, a felony carrying a penalty of Life in Prison without Parole., two counts of Armed Robbery a felony with a maximum penalty of Life in Prison, and three counts of Felony Firearm, a felony with a two year consecutive penalty.*

Butler is charged with one count of Accessory After the Fact, a felony with a maximum penalty of five years.* Both defendants were arraigned in 36th District Court at 2:30 p.m. on November 9, 2017. Anderson was remanded to jail. Butler received a $500,000 cash bond with a provision for a tether if he is able to post bond. Both defendants will have their probable cause conferences on November 21, 2017 at 8:30 a.m. and preliminary examinations on November 28, 2017 at 1:30 p.m.

Statement of Prosecutor Worthy

"By all accounts Mr. Haller was a valued ex-Marine, employee, police reservist, husband, and father. His death is heartbreaking. We will vigorously prosecute this case and do our very best to bring justice to Mr. Haller and his family."
*The charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Friday, November 17, 2017

Juvenile Male Charged with Pointing Handgun at Police Officer

Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged a 16-year-old male (DOB: 12/09/2000) as a juvenile respondent, in connection with a traffic investigation of a stolen vehicle by the Detroit Police Department that culminated in a police dragnet. On the evening of Tuesday, November 14, 2017, at a location on the east side of Detroit, the juvenile is alleged to have fled from the car while it was being investigated. It is further alleged that the 16-year-old juvenile respondent pointed a handgun at an on-duty police officer during an attempted arrest. The police found the handgun discarded at the scene. Another suspect currently remains at large.

The 16-year-old has been charged as a juvenile with: Felonious Assault, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Receiving and Concealing Stolen Property/Motor Vehicle, Resisting and Obstructing a Police Officer, and Felony Firearm.* He will have a 1:30 p.m. Preliminary Hearing today at the Juvenile Detention Center located at 1326 St. Antoine before Referee Nicholas Bobak.
*The charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. When a juvenile is charged with felonies, the penalties are determined by the judge.
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Press Release
November 13, 2017
Two Pages
For Immediate Release

Prosecutor Worthy Announces Head of New Conviction Integrity Unit

Prosecutor Kym Worthy is officially announcing the selection of former State Appellate Defender Attorney Valerie Newman to lead the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office's new Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU). Ms. Newman will begin serving as Director of the Conviction Integrity Unit today.

Prosecutor Worthy said: "I am very pleased to announce that Valerie Newman has joined the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office as the Director of our new Conviction Integrity Unit. A more detailed announcement will follow when the staff selection, as well as the protocol, criteria, and structure of the CIU has been completed."

Valerie R. Newman has dedicated herself to representing those in the criminal justice system unable to afford retained counsel on appeal. Her passion for a fair and just criminal justice system is further evidenced by her efforts to educate and collaborate with stakeholders throughout the justice community. Ms. Newman has regularly taught at the University of Michigan Law School since 1990 and has advocated for women's rights and the professional development of women.

"I am honored to be leading this new cutting edge unit. I look forward to continuing my work improving the criminal justice system and investigating innocence claims," said Ms. Newman.

Ms. Newman graduated from Wayne State University Law School and began her career as an attorney with the State Appellate Defender Office where she has practiced for over 23 years. She has argued hundreds of cases before the Michigan and federal courts. She argued twice before the Supreme Court of the United States winning a landmark victory in Lafler v Cooper. She has secured the release of a number of wrongfully convicted clients.

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