Court Watching: Accused armed robber waives exam, bound over to circuit court

By Rosemary K. Otzman
Independent Editor
Michael Earl-Chavis Lee, 29, of Lincoln Park, waived his preliminary exam at 34th District Court in Romulus on Nov. 20 and was bound over to circuit court.
Lee was arrested Oct. 24 has been held in the Wayne County Jail facing three counts of armed robbery, one count of assault with a dangerous weapon (felonious assault) and one charge of weapons-felony firearm.
Thirty-fourth District Court Judge David Parrott ordered Lee to appear at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice in Detroit at 9 a.m. Nov. 27 for an arraignment on the information.
Lee was apprehended by Van Buren Township Police shortly after the armed robbery of the Health Smart Pharmacy on Belleville Road.
Lee was arraigned on Oct. 26 when Judge Brian Oakley set his bond at $250,000 or 10%.
Lee’s attorney Ronald McDuffie told Judge Parrott that Lee has been unable to raise bond money. He asked for a referral to pretrial services and Judge Parrott ordered it.
Lee’s alleged 15-year-old armed accomplice from Inkster was lodged in the Wayne County Youth Detention Center pending a Family Court hearing.
Dana Lee Murray
Dana Lee Murray, 24, on Nov. 20 waived her preliminary exam before Judge Parrott and the judge bound her over to circuit court for arraignment on the evidence on Dec. 4.
Murray was arrested in Belleville on Oct. 3 for malicious destruction of property ($10,000 or more but less than $20,000), domestic violence, and assault and battery. Her bond was continued.
Belleville Police Officer Jeffrey Wickham was the officer in charge.
Deshawntae Shree McGaughy
A warrant carrying two charges for Deshawntae Shree McGaughy, 29, had been out since her Sept. 11, 2012 attempt to get a controlled substance by fraud and possession of analogues.
Her court-appointed attorney Nicholas Tsalis led her through a plea deal on Nov. 20 in Judge Parrott’s courtroom.
She pled guilty to an added misdemeanor, with the original two charges dropped.
Judge Parrott asked her if she took part in the Sept. 11, 2012 attempt to get Vicodin from Rite Aid by impersonation and her attorney stepped in saying that’s not what she is pleading guilty to.
Judge Parrott rephrased his question: “Did you have Vicodin in your purse that was not yours?” and she replied, “Yes.”
Judge Parrott asked about “7411” and Tsalis said he tried, but they want to leave it up to the judge.
Sentencing under the Michigan Controlled Substance Act, 7411 allows a first-time offender to have certain conditions and if they are complied with the court will discharge the individual and dismiss the proceedings.
She was sentenced to 12 months of probation at a charge of $35 a month, has to work four days on the work crew at a charge of $20 a day, and pay $150 for her court-appointed attorney, plus other charges. She must attend the substance abuse program one evening and comply with drug testing.
Van Buren Township Police Detective Ken Toney was officer in charge.
For this 2012 case, McGaughy was a co-defendant with Sara Brooke McMillan, 36, and a warrant is still out for McMillian’s arrest.
Steven Dale Davis
Steven Dale Davis, 39, waived his preliminary exam before Judge Parrott and was bound over to circuit court at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice in Detroit on Dec. 4.
Davis was arrested Nov. 11 in Sumpter Township for operating while intoxicated, third offense, and driving while license suspended, second offense.
Davis also was arrested for operating while intoxicated and driving while license suspended on June 4, 2007 and completed 15 months of probation and paid $1,200 in court costs.
His attorney Luke Skywalker said while the prosecutor wanted an alcohol tether on Davis, he is enrolled at the Oakville Recovery Center that has alcohol tests. After showing the proof of this to Judge Parrott, the judge said, “So ordered.”
Sumpter Township Officer Colleen Carefelle is officer in charge.