Court Watching: Ladouceur felonious assault charge pled down to misdemeanor

David Allen Ladouceur, 52, of Van Buren Township, pled guilty to a reduced charge of misdemeanor assault and battery and the felonious assault charge was dropped.
This was in 34th District Court Judge David Parrott’s courtroom on Jan. 2.
Ladouceur said he assaulted his next-door neighbors, David Gohl and Janelle Gohl, in Belleville Manor mobile home park in Van Buren Township on Sept. 22.
He was free on $20,000 personal recognizance bond.
Ladouceur’s court-appointed attorney told Judge Parrott that his client has a mental health problem and when he’s feeling good doesn’t take his medication.
Judge Parrott sentenced him to 12 months of probation, days on the work program, random drug and alcohol testing, no contact with the victims, and he must take his meds. His fees totaled $1,445.
Brandon Michael Bires
Brandon Michael Bires, 36, pled no contest to use of a narcotic or cocaine, a misdemeanor, and the possession of narcotic or cocaine less than 25 grams, a felony, was dismissed.
Bires said he had heroin and another drug on Aug. 9, 2017 in Van Buren Township.
Bires’ retained attorney Steven Hyder said the prior convictions are not drug-related. He told Judge Parrott that his client is struggling with addiction and goes to the Rainbow Center every day for treatment, one on one with a counselor. He also attends Alcoholics Anonymous.
Hyder said Bires has faced his problem and his family is supporting him. His father was in the courtroom with him.
Judge Parrott granted him 7411 status and sentenced him to reporting probation, random testing, continuation with treatment at the Rainbow Center, a work crew assignment and a fine of $1,645.
He had been free after posting $10,000/10% bond and the returned bond, less a small fee, was deducted from his total fine, leaving a balance of $545.
Michael Lee Crane
Michael Lee Crane, 41, was due for his probable cause conference on a felony charge of domestic violence on Dec. 19 in Sumpter Township, but he accepted a plea deal.
Domestic violence – 3rd offense was reduced by the Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor to simple domestic violence, a misdemeanor.
Court-appointed defense attorney Mark Perceda said the prosecutor spoke with the victim and, “She’s good with this as long as he gets alcohol treatment.”
Judge Parrot replied, “I’m not good with this…Third offense? I just had a second offense. They wanted me to slap them on the wrist…”
Perceda asked to approach the bench with the prosecutor for a sidebar conference in private. Judge Parrott allowed the sidebar and did not look happy as the conversation continued.
The case was put on hold as the defense attorney and prosecutor left the courtroom with Crane.
When the case was recalled a short time later, Perceda asked that the plea be amended to no contest, since Crane has no recollection of the incident because of intoxication.
Judge Parrott dismissed the felony charge as requested and accepted the misdemeanor plea. He sentenced Crane to 15 months of probation, eight days on the work program, and a total fine of $1,945. He was sent to probation to be scheduled for all the stipulations of the sentence.
Ayana Sharee Robinson
Ayana Sharee Robinson was charged with misdemeanor domestic violence from an incident in a Van Buren Township group home. She was brought into the courtroom from lockup after being held in jail for a reported14 days.
Her legal guardian and a representative from the group home were present and she was ready to plead no contest to the charge and return to the group home.
“I’m unwilling to follow the sentencing agreement,” said Judge Parrott. “She’s not a candidate for a criminal charge. I’m going to give her credit for time served and send her on her way.”
Court-appointed defense attorney Jeff Bowdich said the prosecutor was behind the move for mercy in this case, since this is a special-needs defendant.
“She is not a candidate for probation,” Judge Parrott said. “This is a social service issue not criminal. Probation is simply setting her up for failure.” He urged the defense attorney and prosecutor to go out and talk about this and come back before him.
A short time later, the prosecutor was back before Judge Parrott to say they will stick with a disorderly count with a no-contest plea because there was a failure of recollection. Robinson spent 14 days in jail and a sentence of time served was good, she said.
Judge Parrott said she was incarcerated on Dec. 18 and so he figures that as 16 days in jail, so that is her sentence.
When it was over Robinson asked if she could go home now. The group home representative said, “Hey, gorgeous. Let’s go home” and they did.
Probable Cause Conferences
Scheduled for probable cause conferences on Jan. 2 before Magistrate Lisa Martin were the following:
• David Aaron Lipscomb, 20, charged with aggravated indecent exposure on Dec. 16 in Van Buren Township. Free on $20,000 personal recognizance bond. Retained attorney Carl Jordan.
• Harry Odeal Little, Jr., 25, charged with two counts of criminal sexual conduct, 3rd degree, on Sept. 18, in Van Buren Township. Bond is $50,000/10%. Retained attorney Joseph Arabbo.
• Mateo Anthony Mercado, 18, is charged with fleeing police in a vehicle, malicious destruction of police or fire property, high blood alcohol content, driving with an open container in vehicle, and possession of alcohol by a minor in a motor vehicle, on Dec. 23 in the City of Belleville. Bond is $5,000 cash or surety. Court-appointed defense attorney.