Court Watching: Case against Ostrowskis dropped after witnesses fail to appear in court

Van Buren Township Police and the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office charged three members of a family in connection with an April 12 road rage incident that grew into an assault.
When the three co-defendants were due for their preliminary exams on April 29 before 34th District Court Judge David Parrott, the two victims/witnesses failed to show up.
Prosecutor Blair Moody asked Judge Parrott to adjourn the exam to a later date so Van Buren Township Police Detective Ken Toney could locate the witnesses.
Det. Toney said one witness said he wanted to prosecute, but when he tried to call the witness to remind him of the court date, he had turned off his phone.
The other witness told Det. Toney he couldn’t be in court that day, but he did want to prosecute.
“I don’t have any choice in the matter,” said Judge Parrott, noting there was no good cause presented why the witnesses weren’t present. He said he is told the witnesses wish to prosecute, but they are not here.
Judge Parrott granted the motion of the three defense attorneys to dismiss the charges, without prejudice, which means they can be refiled in the future.
The three defendants were:
• Tonia Lynn Ostrowski, 35, who was charged with two counts of ethnic intimidation and was defended by court-appointed attorney Jennifer Mead. Tonia had been out on a $1,000 personal recognizance bond;
• Bradley Allen Ostrowski, 37, who was charged with ethnic intimidation and assault and battery, was defended by court-appointed attorney Alvin Sullen. Bradley was lodged on $10,000/10% bond and then posted bond; and
•Michael Dewayne Ostrowski, 48, who was charged with felonious assault, weapons-felony firearm, and lying to the police during a crime investigation (a four-year or more felony). His court appointed attorney was Charles Rutledge. He was lodged on $20,000/10% bond and then posted bond.
Det. Toney said it all started with a road rage incident involving Tonia and she followed the victims into Van Buren Estates mobile home park off Lohr Road and her two brothers showed up and assaulted the victims.
Det. Toney said he would try to contact the witnesses to see if they still want to prosecute. (He said the Ostrowskis are not related to former VBT Trustee Al Ostrowski.)