A charge of assault with a dangerous weapon (felonious assault) against Alexis Shae Jensen, 18, was dismissed by 34th District Court Chief Judge Tina Brooks Green on Aug. 14 as part of a plea deal worked out between the prosecutor and the defense attorney.
Jensen pled no contest to a new misdemeanor charge of assault and battery under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act. This puts her on a year’s delayed sentencing and if no legal problems occur in that time, the charge is dismissed by the court and wiped from her record.
The incident occurred on July 22 in Sumpter Township.
Jensen’s retained attorney William Maze said his client was in a new relationship and an interloper arrived and assaulted her mother. Jensen threw a knife, with a closed blade, at the interloper. Maze said otherwise his client has a clear record.
Jensen told Judge Green that she was a graduate of Belleville High School and is attending Eastern Michigan University and would like to become an engineer. When Judge Green asked about her grades in high school, she said she got A’s and B’s.
Judge Green called her parents to the front of the courtroom and asked her father about the incident.
“My daughter has been raised to be truthful, respectful … and another party got involved,” the father said.
Judge Green replied, “Don’t blame somebody else.”
“Hopefully, she’ll learn from this,” the father said.
Judge Green said it might be better to talk to Jensen’s mother, so the mother came forward.
“I was at fault for a lot of it,” the mother said of the incident, and Judge Green interrupted her and said she shouldn’t be taking responsibility for something her daughter did.
“It was not my mother’s fault,” Jensen agreed.
Judge Green said of the mother, “She thinks she failed as a parent and has guilt. If this is the worst thing that happens, it’s good.”
Judge Green said the defendant should say, “The incident was super-stupid and I got involved.”
Judge Green levied $500 in costs and told Jensen her parents are not to pay this fine, but she is to do it herself, even if it takes very low weekly or monthly payments over the year. Judge Green insisted that Jensen take responsibility for her offense.
Nathan Lavelle Spears
Nathan Lavelle Spears, 22, waived his preliminary exam and was bound over to circuit court for an Aug. 28 arraignment on the information on 32 felony counts. He is charged with one count of embezzlement of $20,000 or more, 15 counts of illegal use/sales of a fraudulent transaction device, and 16 counts of using a computer to commit a crime (which could bring four years in prison for each count) on Oct. 11, 2018 in Van Buren Township.
He is free after posting bond of $10,000. His retained attorney is Peter E. Bec.
Maria Guadalupe Calderon
Maria Guadalupe Calderon, 21, waived her preliminary exam and Judge Green bound her over to circuit court for an arraignment on the information on Aug. 21. Although her bond on her charges is $5,000 personal recognizance, she was brought to the courtroom from the Wayne County Jail. Her preliminary exam had been set for Aug. 7, but on that date she had been listed as a fugitive from justice.
Calderon was charged with carrying a concealed weapon and brandishing a weapon in public on Jan. 25, 2018 in Sumpter Township. Calderon told Judge Green that she is to be extradited to face a felony drug charge in Texas.
Calderon’s court-appointed attorney is Kathleen Tulacz.
On Aug. 21, Calderon pled guilty to attempt to carry a concealed weapon, a new charge, and the other two felony charges were dismissed in a plea deal. Sentencing is Sept. 10 before Circuit Court Judge Gregory Bill.
Nico Denzel Bronaugh
Nico Denzel Bronaugh, 37, waived his preliminary exam and was bound over for an arraignment on the information on Aug. 28 at circuit court. Bronaugh is charged with home invasion – first degree, possession of burglar tools, assault on a police officer, and malicious destruction to a building, less than $200 in Sumpter Township on July 15.
He is free after posting bond of $10,000/10%.
Winston Robert Larry
A charge of retail fraud in Van Buren Township on Dec. 17, 2016 against Winston Robert Larry, 51, was dismissed by Judge Green at the recommendation of the Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor. Larry had posted bond of $1,000/10% and will have that returned minus a 10% service charge.
David Russell Smith
David Russell Smith, 55, waived his preliminary exam and Judge Green bound him over to circuit court for an arraignment on the information on Aug. 28.
Smith, 55, is charged with possession of methamphetamine / ecstasy, obstructing by disguise, and driving while license suspended from an incident on March 16, 2018 in Sumpter Township.
On July 30, Smith’s court-appointed attorney Jon Hordos asked Judge David Parrott for an adjournment of his client’s preliminary exam, which had been set for that day. This set off Judge Parrott.
Judge Parrott said on May 8 he gave a two-month adjournment and said there would be no further adjournment. But, in another courtroom Judge Brian Oakley adjourned the case again, which Judge Parrott said was his prerogative, after being “persuaded by you silver-tongued devil, you,” addressing Hordos.
Hordos asked for a sidebar with Judge Parrott, which was granted. After a private discussion, Judge Parrott said he would grant one further adjournment until Aug. 14 at 9 a.m.
“I really mean no further adjournment,” Judge Parrott said. “next time it will proceed or be dismissed.” Bond of $10,000/10% was continued.
Judge Green noted Judge Parrott’s statement at the bottom of the case file about no further adjournments. He had written: “I really mean it!”
Christopher Michael Jarrett
Christopher Michael Jarrett, 31, waived his preliminary exam and was bound over to circuit court for an arraignment on the information on Aug. 28. He is charged with three counts of ethnic intimidation and three counts of assault and battery on July 4 in Van Buren Township.