Recent Posts in Murder/Manslaughter Category

This week, it was announced that a Detroit man may face the death penalty after a jury found him guilty of federal murder charges.  The killing took place in 2001 during a fatal armed car robbery.

After deliberating for less than four hours, the jury found that 37 year old Timothy O'Reilly was guilty on three counts, which included murder, for the robbery that led to the death of 31 year old Norman Stephens, a Total Armed Services Guard.

U.S. District Court Judge Victoria Roberts reminded the 12 member jury that the guilty verdict could result in the death penalty for O'Reilly.  Michigan banned the death penalty in 1847, but it is permitted in federal cases.

On December 14, 2001, shotgun carrying men aimed at Stephens' head and shot him twice.  Guards were preparing to fill ATMS with case at the Dearborn Federal Credit Union when the shooting occurred.

Were you charged with a serious felony, such as murder?  If so, contact Freedman & Freedman to speak with a Michigan criminal defense attorney today.

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.

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.

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!

An Oakland County couple was formally charged with first-degree murder last week for the death of Kmart employee Greg Paul Wainio.

The charges stem from an incident that took place Jan. 14 at the Kmart store located at 3541 Highland Road.  One of the suspects, 39-year-old James Dead Woodworth, stole $400 worth of CDs.  The victim, who worked in loss prevention, followed Woodworth out of the store and struggled with him as he got into a vehicle driven by the second suspect, 20-year-old Samantha Lorraine Lomasney.

According to the Waterford Township Police Department, Lomasney took off at high speeds.  Meanwhile, Woodworth tried to close the door, but Wainio would not let him.  Lomasney then allegedly hit two pillars in an attempt to dislodge Wainio from the car.  In doing so, Wainio ended up getting crushed between the door and the vehicle.  Lomasney then hit a second pillar, which caused Wainio to fall.  He was consequently dragged 221 feet. When he arrived at a local hospital he was pronounced dead.

Several witnesses followed the suspects to their home, where they were eventually arrested.

In addition to the murder charges, both have also been charged with unarmed robbery.  Lomasney faces an additional charge of operating a vehicle with a suspended, revoked, or denied license causing death.

The murder charges alone could result in a life sentence for both Woodworth and Lomasney. The other two charges are punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

Both suspects remain in custody since the judge denied bond. A preliminary examination was scheduled for yesterday.