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Press Release - Detroit Man Charged in Homicide of Woman Discovered in Dumpster
Detroit Man Charged in Homicide
of Woman Discovered in Dumpster
Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged James Quill Cockerham, 50 (DOB: 12/03/1968), in connection with the homicide of Elizabeth Candice-Nicole Laird, 27 (DOB: 04/09/1992), both of Detroit. On May 14, 2019, at approximately 11:45 p.m., police responded to an apartment in the 1600 block of Robert Bradby Drive in Detroit because Ms. Laird had been reported missing. On May 15, 2019 at approximately 8:45 a.m., police officers were dispatched to the same location and discovered human remains in an apartment dumpster. Ms. Laird was later identified as the victim.
On May 16, 2019, Cockerham was identified as a suspect in the homicide of Ms. Laird and the public was asked for assistance by the Detroit Police Department (DPD). As a result of tips and investigation by DPD, he was arrested on Saturday afternoon in the 8000 block of Stoepel in Detroit. More specific facts and evidence will be placed on the record in court at the Preliminary Examination.
Prosecutor Worthy said, "The evidence in this case shows that Ms. Laird was literally thrown away like garbage. Her life mattered, and we will work tirelessly to make sure that her alleged killer is brought to justice."*
Cockerham has been charged with First Degree Murder, Torture and Unlawful Imprisonment.* He was arraigned yesterday at 1:00 p.m. in 36th District Court before Magistrate Dawn White. The Probable Cause Conference is scheduled for May 31, 2019 at 8:30 a.m.; the Preliminary Examination is scheduled for June 7, 2019 at 1:30 p.m. Both hearings are before Judge Kenyetta Stanford Jones 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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