Court Watching: Exam on animal cruelty, civil forfeiture delayed until Jan. 16 for Stacks

On Dec. 4, Judge David Parrott’s 34th District Court courtroom was packed with about 30 people who came to watch or testify in the animal cruelty charges against Javon Pherra Stacks, 36, who formerly lived in Harbour Club Apartments in Van Buren Township and now lists an address in Farmington.
Stacks is charged with three counts of animal cruelty on Aug. 15 in the City of Romulus. The first charge is abandoning/cruelty to 25 or more animals and the other two charge him for cruelty to one animal each.
Eric Clark is his retained defense attorney, prosecuting attorney is Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor Joshua Holmes, and officer in charge of the case is Romulus Detective Kelly Fragodt.
After Judge Parrott called the case, defense attorney Clark asked for a sidebar discussion for preliminary discussions and so Clark and Holmes approached the bench and there was a long discussion.
When the private discussion was over, Judge Parrott said this is the first time in his 18 years as a judge that he has been asked by the state to consider criminal and civil aspects together.
“It’s a hybrid criminal/civil mess,” Judge Parrott said. “The first I have seen or touched and I am unprepared to continue. It wouldn’t be practical to go forward… The animals are not in jeopardy … Let’s keep it that way.”
He said the holiday is coming up, and if he set the next session in his court for felonies it would be Dec. 25. He said he doesn’t want to put the case on either of his colleagues and they wouldn’t like it if he did that.
Judge Parrott adjourned the case until 9:05 a.m. on Jan. 16 and he will keep Jan. 17 open, if needed.
Prosecutor Clark said he has witnesses in the courtroom who are ready to testify and Judge Parrott apologized and announced those subpoenas are still in effect for the Jan. 16 court session.
“This is beyond the court’s control. Please have a happy holiday,” Judge Parrott said and some 30 people went out the door into the hallway and those in the crowd discussed the court case for some time before leaving.
Later Judge Parrott explained that the civil forfeiture that was added to the criminal case involves taking all the animals away from Stacks.
Reportedly, the large number of animals confiscated by the Romulus Police are being taken care of by volunteers and one woman is watching over 500 hedgehogs.
In the past, Stacks reportedly had some animals located in a closed store at Belle Plaza in Belleville, which brought complaints to Belleville City Hall, and later in a location in Lakeside shopping center in Van Buren Township. The charges he faces now are from a location in a Romulus strip mall.
Jackie Lee Elkins
Jackie Lee Elkins, 47, of Romulus was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon (felonious assault) on Jan. 18 in Van Buren Township and was free on $10,000 personal recognizance bond. His retained attorney was David Cripps.
Elkins was due for his preliminary exam on Dec. 4, but the complainant was not present and the prosecution could not continue. The charge was dismissed at the request of the prosecutor. It was dismissed without prejudice, meaning it could be refiled in the future. Elkins was in a wheelchair before Judge Parrott.
Charlene Amanda Harrington
Charlene Amanda Harrington, 38, of Sumpter Township, waived her preliminary exam on a charge of operating while intoxicated, third time, and having a blood alcohol content of more than .17 on Sept. 28 in Sumpter Township. She is free on $10,000 personal recognizance bond and her retained attorney is Jack Kramer.
Judge Parrott bound Harrington over to the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice on Dec. 18 for an arraignment on the information. Bond was continued.
Zachary Glenn Mills
Zachary Glenn Mills, 31, of Fowlerville, waived his preliminary exam and Magistrate Lisa Martin bound him over to the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice on Dec. 18 for an arraignment on the information and charges of being in possession of narcotics or cocaine and operating while intoxicated. His court-appointed defense attorney is from the Neighborhood Defender Service.
Jeffrey Nicholas Roman
Jeffrey Nicholas Roman, 41, of Canton, waived his preliminary exam and Magistrate Martin bound him over to the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice on Dec. 18 for an arraignment on the information. He is charged with operating while intoxicated, third time, on Oct. 5, 2018 in Van Buren Township. He is being defended by retained attorney Mark Ellis and is free on $5,000 personal recognizance bond.
Anthony Paul Varcoe
Anthony Paul Varcoe, 44, of Livonia, waived his preliminary exam and Magistrate Martin bound him over to the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice for an arraignment on the information Dec. 18. He is charged with identity theft on Feb. 1 in Van Buren Township. He is free on $10,000 personal recognizance bond and his retained attorney is Richard Corriveau. Kenneth Thompson stood in for Corriveau on Dec. 4.