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NEWS UPDATES

Monday, July 23, 2018

Gerald Day - Today Day was found guilty as charged by a jury in the April 21, 2017 Grosse Pointe Woods home invasion, sexual assault and robbery case. He will be sentenced on August 24, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. before Judge Kevin Cox. His other pending cases appear on pages 15, 16, and 17 of the weekly case updates attached.

Darius Jackson - Convicted of robbing and sexually assaulting a woman in the Detroit Opera House parking structure. Today Judge Ramsey followed the sentence agreement in the case. Jackson was sentenced to 16 to 30 years for Armed Robbery, four years for Assault with Intent to Commit Criminal Sexual Conduct and two years consecutive for Felony Firearm.

Robert Stanzler - Eastern Market businessman charged with Assault and Battery in connection with spitting on a security guard in Eastern Market. We have not yet received information from DPD regarding the scheduling of the arraignment for the defendant.

Travun Baskerville - Defendant charged in connection with the homicide of Douglas Calhoun (Chef Doug) and the human trafficking of a 17-year-old Detroit woman. Today the defendant was found guilty by a jury of: Second Degree Murder, Human Trafficking Enterprise Involving Death, Human Trafficking of a Minor for Criminal Sexual Activity, Child Sexually Abusive Activity, Possession of Child Sexually Abusive Material, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Felony Firearm. The sentencing is scheduled for August 7, 2018 before Judge Qiana Lillard.

Roy Abrams - Defendant charged in connection with the assault of Joe Kendra outside of Adi's Coney Island restaurant. On July 10, 2018 a jury convicted Abrams of Assault with Intent to Do Great Bodily Harm and two counts of Felonious Assault. The sentencing was adjourned today at the request of the defense to July 25, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. before Judge Prentis Edwards, Jr.

Tuesday, July 24, 2018

Thomas Lane - Defendant charged in the Flat Rock double homicide of his sister Catherine Markowski and her husband Mark Harris at their home in Flat Rock. Today the defendant was bound over as charged after his preliminary examination. His Arraignment on the Information is scheduled for July 31, 2018 at 9:00 a.m.

Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Roy Abrams - Defendant charged in connection with the assault of Joe Kendra outside of Adi's Coney Island restaurant. On July 10, 2018 a jury convicted Abrams of Assault with Intent to Do Great Bodily Harm and two counts of Felonious Assault. The sentencing was adjourned today by the court until August 15, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. before Judge Prentis Edwards, Jr.

Thursday, July 26, 2018

Virgil Smith - Former state senator who entered into a 2016 plea agreement after a shooting incident involving his ex-wife. The plea agreement included a provision that required Smith to resign from office, and refrain from holding any other elected office for five years. WCPO appealed the case because Judge Lawrence Talon did not require Smith to resign from office, and refused to allow the prosecution to withdraw the plea agreement.

Today the Michigan Supreme Court held that: 1) The provision in the plea agreement that barred the defendant from holding office was moot and vacated and the Court of Appeals opinion as invalid; 2) The bar to running for office provision violated public policy; and 3) A court must allow the prosecution to withdraw the plea when it strikes a provision in the agreement.Maria Miller said, "We are pleased that the Michigan Supreme Court has remanded the case on to the trial court holding that the court must allow the prosecution to withdraw the plea agreement when the court strikes a provision. The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office will determine how the case will proceed in light of this decision."

Saturday, July 28, 2018

Man Charged in Non-Fatal Shooting of Transgender Woman

Today Prosecutor Kym Worthy, in conjunction with Fair Michigan, has charged Deonton A. Rogers, 29, in connection with a non-fatal shooting of a 29-year-old transgender woman, both of Detroit.

On July 23, 2018, at 8:09 p.m., Detroit police officers were dispatched to a non-fatal shooting that occurred in a gas station in the 15400 block of W. Seven Mile Road. It is alleged that the defendant approached the victim in the gas station and made a lewd remark to her. When he was informed by the victim that she is a transgender woman, he engaged in a verbal argument with her about her sexual orientation. As the argument continued, it is alleged that Rogers pulled a gun from his waistband. As the victim struggled with him over the weapon, it is alleged that Rogers shot the victim in the shoulder. The defendant fled from the location in his car, leaving his 27-year-old female companion at the station, but with her child in the rear of the car. The child was later found unharmed.

The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Investigation by the Detroit police led to the arrest of Rogers on Friday, July 26, 2018.

Rogers has been charged with Firearm Discharge - Serious Impairment/Injury, Felonious Assault, Felony Firearm, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Child Abuse - 4th Degree and Ethnic Intimidation based upon gender.

Rogers was arraigned in 34th District Court in Romulus today. The probable cause conference is on August 3, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. and he received a two million dollar cash bond.

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

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