Recent Blog Posts in February 2010

Three men were arrested on various charges in Woodhaven after someone called police to report there were people smoking pot in their truck.

Police arrived at the scene with a drug sniffing dog, who was able to detect the scent of marijuana and confirm its presence in the vehicle. The officer was able to smell the marijuana as well, and upon searching the vehicle found marijuana seeds and crumbled leaves throughout the suspect’s truck.

A passenger in the vehicle was also arrested, but for disorderly conduct and obstruction after he refused to comply with the officer’s orders. According to the article on The News-Herald, the officer asked the passenger to step out of the vehicle and leave the scene, but he refused. The passenger became angry and refused to get out of the truck. After a profane outburst and refusing to leave the vehicle at least three times, the officer had the passenger arrested.

A third passenger was also arrested after it was discovered there was an arrest warrant out for a reckless driving charge.

The early stages of a child pornography case are underway as both sides are expected to wrap up a preliminary examination of the evidence around March 15.

The man at the center of the case is 53-year-old Richard Zorn of Taylor, who is facing 18 counts of child pornography and Internet crimes.

Zorn is currently being held in Wayne County Jail on $250,000 cash bond. He was arrested late last year after investigators received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Upon searching Zorn’s house, police found dozens of 8.5 x 11 inch pornographic images assembled in a collage that was attached to the paneling in the room. The images were all sexually suggestive, including some containing sexual images of children. Officers also found several computer disks with illegal pornography on them and other pornographic items throughout the house.

If Zorn is found guilty he will face harsh penalties, as a child pornography conviction can result in 20 years in prison and $100,000 in fines. Other penalties associated with child pornography include probation, community service, and mandatory registration as a sex offender.

At the Law Offices of Freedman& Freedman we are committed to helping those who’ve been accused of child pornography and other sex crimes. We understand the seriousness of your situation, and can offer you the experienced and dedicated defense you need when your rights, future, and freedom are on the line. If you are interested in learning more about our defense service, please contact the office today to arrange a consultation with a Michigan criminal defense lawyer!

A Kent County jury has convicted a mother of murder for starving her disabled daughter to death.

Tammy Jefferson, 42, will likely to be sentenced to mandatory life in prison for failing to care for her 21-year-old daughter, a course of action that ultimately led to her death.  Jefferson’s daughter Taryn became disabled as a baby after her father violently shook her. Ever since she has been unable to walk, feed herself, or communicate.

According to prosecutors, Taryn’s condition began deteriorating in 2008, around the same time her mother started accessing more than 400 Internet pages every day and spending hours on end in chartrooms.

Jefferson’s attorney argued that Taryn may have chosen to stop eating. Ultimately, the jury found Jefferson at fault. She is schedule to be sentenced March 22.

A raid on two Detroit houses resulted in a major drug bust for police investigators.

During last week’s raid, police discovered 22 pounds of cocaine valued at more than $4.1 million. From the homes they seized more than 10,000 grams of cocaine, 6,000 grams of marijuana, 300 grams of methamphetamine, three vehicles, and several weapons, including two handguns.

Police believe they hit on high-level drug dealers. It is not clear whether or not the dealers are the owners of the home, or if they were home at the time of the raid. It also has not been reported whether anyone has been arrested in connection with raid. If the dealers were home at the time police searched the house, it’s almost certain they would have been taken into custody on multiple drug charges.

Two men have been arrested for allegedly shooting another man outside a bar in Southgate.

Kyle Wilkerson and Jonathan Reese are both accused of murdering 42-year-old Elijah Keith Young. They have each been charged with eight counts, including one first-degree murder charge for Wilkerson and one second-degree murder charge for Reese.

Judge James Kandrevas denied bail for Wilkerson and set bail for Reese at $2.5 million.

According to police, Young was shot four times outside Gleason’s Bar & Grill on Eureka Road. His death is the first murder in the city in nearly 8 years.  Young succumbed to his gunshot wounds as he was being driven to Oakwood Southshore Medical Center in Trenton.

The bouncers at the bar cleared the building after a fight broke out in the bar. Young was shot while everyone was outside. Police think Young’s friends were involved in the fight, but it’s not clear whether Young himself was involved.

After the shooting, Wilkerson and Reese ran to their car across the street and drove away. Both men were arrested shortly thereafter and both had handguns in their possession. Police also have video surveillance from the parking lot where the shooting took place.

Both Wilkerson and Reese have a prior criminal history. Wilkerson was once convicted of carrying a concealed weapon and Reese has received several misdemeanor convictions.

Craig DeRoche, former speaker of the Michigan House, has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

According to police, the former politician was so drunk he couldn’t even stand up on his own.

Police responded to the scene in Saline after several witnesses called the station to report a man they saw drunkenly leave his car and walk up to a store. When officers arrived at the scene, DeRoche was stumbling around in the snow, and a breath test revealed his blood alcohol concentration was .249, more than three times the legal limit. A blood test was later administered at a local hospital, but the results of that test will not be made available for a few weeks.

It’s a crime in the state of Michigan to drive with a BAC higher than .08 percent.

As of now, city attorney Allan Grossman has not filed charges against DeRoche, but DeRoche did say he would cooperate fully with the police and the courts.

One reason the police might be hesitant to file drunk driving charges against DeRoche is because they never actually witnessed him driving, they only received reports from others who saw him driving. Even in light of this DeRoche has taken full responsibility for his actions and said he plans to learn from his mistakes.

DeRoche was House speaker from 2005-2006, but had to leave office due to term limits.

Have you been arrested for OWI or DUI in Oakland or Wayne County? A Michigan DUI lawyer at the Law Offices of Freedman & Freedman can help. To learn more about our DUI defense services, please contact the office at (877) 858-8297 to arrange a consultation to discuss your charges.

A woman who worked in the Waterford Township treasurer’s office has been sentenced to two years probation for  embezzling money from the office.

Melanie Marie Davidson, 27, had only been working as an account clerk for the treasurer’s office for three months when officials noticed a discrepancy with a deposit from another department.

The treasury department began investigating the discrepancy immediately, and both an internal and outside audit turned up numerous incidences of embezzlement. The investigation found that Davidson had been taking money from deposits that were made by other Waterford Township departments. Waterford Treasurer Margaret Birch said it is believed Davidson began embezzling the money about 20 days after she began working in the office.

Davidson was quickly fired from her job and charged with embezzlement. She pleaded no contest to the charges. In addition to two years probation, Davidson was also ordered to pay $12,473 in restitution.

Before being transferred to the treasurer’s office Davidson worked for the Waterford building and engineering department, but according to director Doug Bradley, Davidson did not take any funds from his department.

If you have been accused of embezzlement or any other white collar crime, it’s important to take the proper steps to ensure your rights are protected and aggressively defended. The Law Offices of Freedman & Freedman is backed by years of  criminal defense experience, and has helped countless clients throughout Oakland County fight their charges. To schedule a consultation with a skilled Michigan criminal defense attorney, please  contact Freedman & Freedman today at (877) 858-5297.

A hockey coach has been charged with a misdemeanor count of  assault & battery after punching the opposing team’s coach during a brawl on the ice.

The incident began when the two coaches, one from Allen Park and one from Taylor, had a verbal confrontation. According to reports, the Allen Park coach told the Taylor coach that he was a bad coach and a poor sportsman. The Taylor coach then shoved the Allen Park coach onto the ice.

Moments later a large group of people rushed onto the ice and began fighting. When a referee tried to break up the fight and help the Allen Park coach off the ice, the Taylor coach jumped on top of the referee and began punching the Allen Park coach in the face repeatedly.

The Taylor coach was arrested and charged with assault & battery, but was later released after posting $300 bond.

Charged with assault & battery in Oakland or Wayne County? A  Michigan criminal defense lawyer at the Law Offices of Freedman & Freedman can ensure you have the aggressive and dedicated defense you need against your charges. To learn more about working with an experienced attorney at Freedman & Freedman, please  contact the office today by calling (877) 858-5297.

A Clinton Township man has been arrested on hit & run charges after hitting a Rochester Hills sheriff deputy’s patrol car and driving away.

As the deputy was living an accident scene he had responded to, the suspect hit the deputy’s patrol car on the back rear panel and drove away.

Neither the suspect nor the deputy was injured.

With help from the Sterling Heights Police Department the deputy was able to track the suspect to his home, where he was placed under arrest.

The suspect is currently being held in the Oakland County jail for  operating while intoxicated and fleeing and eluding.

If you have been arrested for OWI, hit & run, or any other serious traffic offense, an experienced Michigan traffic ticket attorney can help. Unlike a regular traffic ticket, these offenses warrant criminal charges that can land you in jail, strip you of your driving privileges, and result in a mark on your permanent record.

To ensure you have the aggressive defense you need against your charges, please  contact the Law Offices of Freedman & Freedman today at (877) TKT-LAWS!

A Troy woman has been charged with negligent homicide in connection with a fatal auto accident that left her passenger dead.

The accident occurred back in December when the driver, 19-year-old Paige Yoo-Na Vella, made an unlawful left turn under a blinking red light. As Vella was making the turn her car was hit on the passenger side by an SUV. Her passenger, 17-year-old Kristen Wilhelm, also from Troy, was critically injured. She had to be extricated from the vehicle and was rushed to Royal Oak Beaumont Hospital. She died the next day. 

Vella suffered only minor injuries in the accident, as did the 19-year-old driver of the SUV. There were two other passengers in the SUV, but neither person was injured.

After investigating the accident, the Troy Police Department determined that alcohol and drugs were not a factor in the accident.

Vella is scheduled to appear back in court February 17. She has since been released on $5,000 bond. If she is found guilty of the charges she could be sentenced to two years in prison and a $2,000 fine.

A Detroit woman has been charged with retail fraud after attempting to steal a home theatre system from a Sears department store in Troy.

Felicia Annette Robinson, 45, was arraigned last week in a Troy district court. Her bond was set at $25,000.

According to police, Robinson and a still unidentified man attempted to steal a home theatre system on January 22. When Robinson and the man were confronted by two members of the Sears loss prevention team, the man sped away in a silver Chevy Malibu. While struggling the officers, Robinson bit one of the men in his left arm.

Robison was arrested and booked in the Oakland County Jail, where she remained while waiting to head back to court. She was schedule to re-appear in court earlier this week.

If you have been charged with  fraud or another theft crime, it’s important to ensure you have adequate defense throughout the criminal process. An Oakland County criminal defense lawyer at the Law Offices of Freedman & Freedman understands the charges you are facing, and can ensure an aggressive defense is prepared on your behalf. For more information about working with a lawyer from our firm, feel free to contact Freedman & Freedman today to schedule a consultation!

A man accused of murdering an 89-year-old woman and setting her house on fire has accepted a plea deal.

On February 22, Michael Bush, 26, will begin a 30 to 60 year prison sentence for the murder of Frances Cothern. Under a plea agreement, Bush pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in Wayne County Circuit Court. The deal was reached just days before his case was set for trial. If he were convicted at trial he could have been sentenced to life in prison.

The charges stem from an incident that occurred on November 18, 2008. According to police, Cothern was at her home in Van Buren Township when she was robbed and beaten by Bush. Bush then set her house on fire and fled the scene. Cothern passed away from injuries she sustained in the fire.

Bush’s case is an example of when accepting a plea bargain might be a better option than taking one’s chances in court. Had Bush gone to trial and been found guilty, it is very likely he would have been sentenced to life in prison for the crimes he committed. And although Bush will now spend 30 to 60 years in prison, there’s a better chance he won’t have to spend his entire life behind bars.

At the Law Offices of Freedman & Freedman, we are committed to helping our clients secure the best possible outcome to their cases, whether that means accepting plea deal or taking a case to trial. If you have recently been arrested or charged with a crime and are looking for an experienced, hard working, and dedicated Michigan criminal defense attorney to represent you case, please  contact Freedman & Freedman today to arrange a consultation to discuss your case!

A man charged with impersonating an FBI agent and possessing more than a dozen firearms will remain in police custody, as per a ruling handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Victoria Roberts.

According to the FBI, Kevin Balfour, 56, told a witness that he collected money for Haiti earthquake victims by posing as an FBI agent and showing his badge.

Judge Roberts refused to set bail.

The FBI said that after searching Balfour’s home they found several weapons, numerous ammunition, and badges from the Chicago Police Department, U.S. Treasury Department, and Michigan’s Corrections Department.

Balfour stands to face both felony and federal charges for the crimes he has been accused of.

Balfour already has at least nine criminal convictions in two states.

If you are searching for a Michigan criminal defense lawyer with experience defending clients against both  felony and federal charges, you should consider contacting an attorney at the Law Offices of Freedman & Freedman. We would be happy to discuss our qualifications and experience, as well as go over the various defense tactics we can use to help you fight your charges.

Contact Freedman & Freedman today by filling out a free case evaluation or by calling (877) 858-5297!

The Associated Press has reported that a new study from the insurance industry found that banning the use of hand-held devices while driving has not been as effective as some lawmakers might have thought.

The study, which was conducted by the Highway Loss Data Institute, examined insurance claims from accidents that occurred both before and after the ban took effect in New York, California, Connecticut and Washington D.C. The study found that banning the use of hand-held devices to send text messages or make a phone call has not resulted in fewer crashes and that claim rates did not go down after the ban took effect. 

There are currently six states plus the District of Columbia that ban talking on a hands-held device while driving, and 19 states and the District of Columbia that ban texting while driving.

Naturally, the study's findings are raising a lot of questions and concerns from lawmakers.  Jonathan Adkins, a spokesperson for the governors association, brought up the point that the ban allows drivers to use hands-free devices, which can be just as risky and dangerous as using hand-held devices. The National Safety Council is encouraging a complete ban on all devices—even hands-free devices—for this very reason.

Despite the findings of this study, lawmakers continue to push for bans on texting while driving and talking on a cell phone while driving. 

If you have been issued a traffic ticket for talking on cell phone or texting while driving, a Michigan traffic ticket lawyer at the Law Offices of Freedman & Freedman can help you address your ticket in court and can provide you with any advice or resources you may need. To arrange a consultation with an attorney at our office, please contact Freedman & Freedman today by calling 1 (877) TKT-LAWS!

Three Pontiac teenagers could face life in prison after being charged with armed robbery.

The teens are accused of committing armed robbery in connection with two separate incidences that occurred early Friday morning.

According to police, Joey Steven Vang, 17, Rocky Herr, 17, and Jerry Herr, 18, approached a man as he pulled into an Auburn Hills parking lot around 3:45 a.m. Police said the teens were wearing masks and one was carrying a rifle. They ordered the man to get out of his vehicle and then assaulted him as he got out of the car. They took his money and cell phone before fleeing the scene in a truck.

An hour later, the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office reported that a person had been robbed at gun point in Orion Township. The suspects were again wearing masks and were carrying an AK-47.

Police found the suspects in their vehicle around 4:30 a.m. They were taken into custody and booked for armed robbery. Their masks and weapons were recovered by police.