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News Updates - December 14 - 20, 2014
Monday, December 15, 2014
Father Timothy Kane - Roman Catholic priest convicted in fraudulent scheme to steal money from an Archdiocese of Detroit Charity. He was sentenced today on charges of Continuing Criminal Enterprise, Using a Computer to Commit a Crime, Uttering and Publishing, Conspiracy to Commit Uttering and Publishing, Embezzlement from a Charitable Institution, Conspiracy to Embezzle from a Charitable Institution. Although his guidelines were 36 months to 60 months, Judge Bruce Morrow deviated from the guidelines. Kane was sentenced to 12 months in the Wayne County Jail to be served in the months of December and January for the next five years; and he was also given five years of probation and restitution of $131,400. The defendant will be turning himself in to report for jail on December 16, 2014.
"This is a most unusual sentence that is below the defendant's guidelines. It is especially troubling considering that he was convicted as charged of multiple counts of stealing money from the poor. We will be determining whether we will appeal the case in the next several days," said Assistant Prosecutor Maria Miller.
Two Men Charged in Fatal Shooting of 79-Year-Old Westland Man
On Saturday, December 13, 2014, Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy charged Dale Morgan, 42, of Ypsilanti and Cortez Butler, 42, of Detroit, in connection with the homicide of Charles Graham, 79, of Westland. The complainant met with Morgan on December 6, 2014 at approximately 5:30 in the morning and they went to a house in the 9300 block of Woodlawn in Detroit where they met Butler. Shortly thereafter, the three men got into a nearby car and it is alleged that Butler handed the complainant a bottle of pills and asked Graham for money. There was a dispute between the men and when Graham would not give the money, it is alleged that Morgan fired a handgun, fatally striking Graham in the head. Defendants Morgan and Butler fled the scene. Investigation by the Detroit Police Department led to the arrests of the two defendants on December 11, 2014.
Dale Morgan has been charged with First Degree Murder, Felony Murder and Felony Firearm. He was arraigned on Saturday, December 13, 2014 and was remanded to jail. Cortez Butler has been charged with Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Felon in Possession of Ammunition and was arraigned on Saturday, December 13, 2014 and received a bond of $1 million dollars. Both defendants received a preliminary examination date of December 23, 2014 in 36th District court at 1:30 p.m.
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Father Timothy Kane - Roman Catholic priest convicted in fraudulent scheme to steal money from an Archdiocese of Detroit Charity. He was sentenced today on charges of Continuing Criminal enterprise, Using a Computer to Commit a Crime, Uttering and Publishing, Conspiracy to Commit Uttering and Publishing Embezzlement from a Charitable Institution, Conspiracy to Embezzle from a Charitable Institution. Although his guidelines were 36 months to 60 months, Judge Bruce Morrow deviated from the guidelines. Kane was sentenced to 12 months in the Wayne County Jail to be served in the months of December and June along with another eight weeks to be determined by the probation department for the next five years. He was also given five years of probation and restitution of $131,400. The defendant will be turning himself in to report for jail on December 16, 2014.
"This is a most unusual sentence that is below the defendant's guidelines. It is especially troubling considering that he was convicted as charged of multiple counts of stealing money from the poor. We will be determining whether we will appeal the case in the next several days," said Assistant Prosecutor Maria Miller.
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Robert Bashara - Grosse Pointe Park defendant charged in the homicide of his wife Jane Bashara. The jury will not resume deliberations today because the defendant has an undisclosed medical issue that will not allow him to be present in court today. When we receive further information about the schedule from the court updated information will be released.
Robert Bashara - Grosse Pointe Park defendant charged in the homicide of his wife Jane Bashara. The jury will not resume deliberations on Tuesday, December 16, 2014, because the defendant has an undisclosed medical issue that will not allow him to be present in court. When we receive further information about the schedule from the court updated information will be released.
Statement of Kym Worthy on Misleading Warrant Backlog Article*
The headline and the article in the Detroit News today titled "Warrant backlog frees suspects" is misleading. The piece gives the impression that suspects arrested and held by the police in connection with murders, sexual assaults and robberies are being released because the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office does not have adequate staff to charge a case. We prioritize all cases where there is a suspect that has been arrested and they are all reviewed by prosecutors. We have had to return a number of warrants from the Detroit Police Department for further investigation when they have been presented without sufficient evidence to charge the case. In some instances this has caused the Detroit Police Department to release the suspect if the police cannot produce the requested work in a timely fashion. The charging standard that we are held to is beyond a reasonable doubt, and it is crucial to have the witness statements, taped evidence and, in certain cases forensic evidence, before we can responsibly charge a person in a capital case. Although, I respect Chief Craig, I am disappointed that he would give quotes that omit these significant facts.
Because we have been short staffed, we have had a backlog of cases presented where the defendant is not-in-custody. I have been very vocal about letting the public know that our lack of staffing has resulted in our not being able to review these warrants to make a charging decision. I wonder why no one was listening to this for the last two years?
*Warrant backlog frees suspects: http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/waynecounty/2014/12/15/detroit-warrant-backlog-frees-suspects/20467183/
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Robert Bashara - Grosse Pointe Park defendant charged in the homicide of his wife Jane Bashara. The jury will not resume deliberations today because the defendant has an undisclosed medical issue that will not allow him to be present in court. When we receive further information about the schedule from the court updated information will be released later today.
Jayru Campbell - Cass Tech High football player sentenced by 36th district Court Judge Ruth Carter to a one-year probation term consecutive to the jail time imposed by Judge Kenny on the probation violation on a case where he assaulted a security officer earlier this year. It was ordered that Campbell be tested for steroid use and the court also suggested and ordered a psychiatric evaluation, anger management classes and entry into a mentoring program run by former Mayor Dave Bing. Mayor Bing was present in the courtroom during the sentence hearing.
Detroit Man Charged in Dog Assault on Detroit Police Officer
Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy has charged Darrel Campbell, 36 (DOB 8/4/78), with one count each of Dangerous Animal Causing Serious Injury, Felonious Assault, Resisting and Obstructing Causing Injury, and Resisting and Obstructing. On December 14, 2014 at approximately 4:40 p.m., while the police were investigating Campbell at a home in the 12600 block of Meyers, it is alleged that he left the house with an approximately 100-pound bulldog that he unleashed upon a male police officer while he attempted to flee the scene and avoid arrest by the police. The dog bit the officer, causing an injury. The dog was euthanized on Tuesday, December 16, 2014. The defendant was subsequently arrested by the police on the same date. He is expected to be arraigned in 36th District Court today at 2:30 p.m.
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Robert Bashara - Grosse Pointe Park defendant charged in the homicide of his wife Jane Bashara. The jury will not resume deliberations today because the defendant has an undisclosed medical issue that will not allow him to be present in court. When we receive further information about the schedule from the court updated information will be released later today.
Jayru Campbell - Cass Tech High football player sentenced by 36th district Court Judge Ruth Carter to a 1 year probation term consecutive to the jail time imposed by Judge Kenny on the probation violation on a case where he assaulted a security officer earlier this year. It was ordered that Campbell be tested for steroid use and the court also suggested and ordered a psychiatric evaluation, anger management classes and entry into a mentoring program run by former Mayor Dave Bing. Mayor Bing was present in the courtroom during the sentence hearing.
At the preliminary examination, the charges of Unarmed Robbery and Assault with Intent to Murder were dismissed by Judge Carter, leaving only the domestic violence charge. The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office has filed an appeal to the Wayne County Circuit Court that will be heard before Judge Margaret Van Houten on January 20, 2014 at 9:00 a.m.
Angel Birch - Defendant accused of assaulting and severely wounding a Detroit 12th Precinct officer with a razor blade. Birch's preliminary exam was adjourned today to February 17, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. before Judge Michael Wagner because she was referred for competency to stand trial and criminal responsibility.
Detroit Man Charged in Dog Assault on Detroit Police Officer
Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy has charged Darrel Campbell, 36 (DOB 8/4/78), with one count each of Dangerous Animal Causing Serious Injury, Felonious Assault, Resisting and Obstructing Causing Injury, and Resisting and Obstructing. On December 14, 2014 at approximately 4:40 p.m., while the police were investigating Campbell at a home in the 12600 block of Meyers, it is alleged that he left the house with an approximately 100 pound bulldog that he unleashed upon a male police officer while he attempted to flee the scene. and arrest the police. The dog bit the officer causing an injury. The dog was euthanized on Tuesday, December 16, 2014. The defendant was subsequently arrested by the police on the same date. He was arraigned in 36th District Court today and received a bond of $50,000/10% and preliminary examination date of on December 29, 2014 at 9:00 a.m.
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Robert Bashara - Grosse Pointe Park defendant charged in the homicide of his wife Jane Bashara. The court has informed the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office that the jury will resume deliberations on Thursday, December 18, 2014 at 10:00 a.m.
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Robert Bashara - Grosse Pointe Park defendant charged in the homicide of his wife Jane Bashara. The court has announced that the jury has a verdict in the case that will be announced at 3:00 p.m. today.
Robert Bashara - Grosse Pointe Park defendant convicted as charged in the homicide of his wife Jane Bashara. See press release attached including a statement from Prosecutor Worthy. The prosecution will conduct interviews once the sentence hearing in the case is completed on January 15, 2015.
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