The probable cause conference on the second-degree murder charge against Michaiah Carlin Minor, 18, of Canton had been set for June 17 before 34th Court Judge Tina Brooks Green.
At the virtual court appearance via Zoom, Judge Green approved the waiving of Minor’s appearance, as requested by his attorney.
Assistant Wayne County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Goze said both he and defense attorney David Cripps would like a live preliminary exam scheduled.
Judge Green said they are trying not to schedule live exams at this time, but both attorneys said it was important because of the witnesses.
“I don’t know when this would be held,” said Judge Green. “We’ll put in the stack of exams waiting to be done live.”
Minor is charged in the death of John Robert McElreath, 64, on May 7, 2019. McElreath died from injuries in an auto crash at the corner of Ecorse and Belleville roads in Van Buren Township.
It is alleged that Minor, an unlicensed driver, was driving southbound on Belleville Road at a high rate of speed, when he disregarded a red light at Ecorse, crossed over the double-yellow line and drove into northbound traffic, striking the victim in his car.
There have been several competency exams and Minor has been cleared to face the charge.
Norman Ladale Johnson
The probable cause conference for the four felony charges against Norman Ladale Johnson, 31, of Willis was adjourned until June 17 by Judge Oakley during a Zoom court session on June 3.
On June 17 his probable cause conference was again adjourned, this time until July 8 so the defense attorney could get discovery from Sumpter Township police. On July 8, Murray Duncan took over as defense attorney and so he needed to get the discovery that was furnished to the first attorney and then returned to the prosecutor. The probable cause conference was again adjourned, this time until July 29.
On July 29, Judge Oakley adjourned the probable cause conference to Aug. 12. Duncan said he still didn’t have the discovery and Prosecutor Smith said he has it all now since she sent it to him the night before.
Johnson is accused of attacking a 26-year-old Sumpter Township resident with a tire iron at the man’s home in the 23000 block of Elwell Road on May 16.
Johnson is charged with assault with intent to murder, home invasion first degree, assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, and assault with a dangerous weapon.
He was jailed after cash bond was set at $50,000. On June 3, Judge Oakley changed the $50,000 cash/surety bond to allow 10% and Johnson posted bond through a bail bondsman. Johnson was to have no contact with the victim and he was to wear a GPS tether for home or work only.
Jamie Kevin Gwizdak
Jamie Kevin Gwizdak, 45, of Westland was due for his probable cause conference on June 17, and that was adjourned until July 8 by Judge Oakley.
Gwizdak is charged with three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon (felonious assault) and one count of ethnic intimidation in Sumpter Township on May 1. He is free on $2,000 personal recognizance bond and he is to have no contact with three alleged victims or their home.
Gwizdak is being defended by Timothy Wrather of the Neighborhood Defender Service, who said he still needed discovery. On July 8, Wrather had a family emergency so the probable cause conference was adjourned until July 29.
On July 29, Judge Oakley set a live preliminary exam for 10:30 a.m., Oct. 5. There will be three separate victims testifying, in masks, and each will wait out in the parking lot until called inside to testify.
Matthew Allen Storms
Matthew Allen Storms, 34, of Van Buren Township is charged with one count of domestic violence in VBT on June 6. He is free on $5,000 personal recognizance bond.
His defense attorney Robert Burton-Harris of the Neighborhood Defender Service asked Judge Green to waive his client’s presence at the June 17 court session. Harris said he still needs discovery and VBT police may have body cam to study.
Judge Green adjourned his probable cause until June 24. On June 24, Burton-Harris learned VBT police did not have body camera recording and asked for a live preliminary exam for his client. Judge Oakley said, “We’ll be in touch,” adding that file to others for live exams.
Deborah Jeanette Tolbert
Deborah Jeanette Tolbert, 63, of Van Buren Township is charged with one count of vulnerable adult abuse – first degree and assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder on June 2 in VBT.
She was before Judge Green on June 17 for her probable cause conference, which was adjourned until July 1 because Tolbert’s attorney Timothy Wrather did not yet have the discovery from VBT police.
On July 1, Wrather said he had all the discovery and demanded a live preliminary exam for his client. Judge Green said she had a cancellation and they could have the exam at 9 a.m. sharp July 9. Later, the live exam was set for 9 a.m., Aug. 18.
Judge Green said only attorney Wrather and Tolbert will be allowed in the courtroom, sitting on different sides of a shield and with masks on. One witness will be allowed in the building at a time and the others will have to wait in their cars until called and will wear masks when entering the building. Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor Erin Danne said she expects two to three witnesses.
Tolbert is free after posting bond of $10,000/10% bond with a provision that she stay away from the alleged victim.
Daniel Allenhoward Light
Daniel Allenhoward Light, 27, of Taylor appeared before Judge Oakley via Zoom on June 10 for his probable cause conference on one count of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder and domestic violence on May 26 in the City of Belleville. He was free after posting bond of $10,000/10%. His conditional bond ordered no contact with the victim.
His attorney Sarah Krause said her client and the victim have a nine-month-old child in common and he hasn’t seen his child in two weeks. He would like to have his aunt act as a third party so he can see his child.
Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor Larry King said he had no problem with that, but the defendant should not use the visitation as an excuse to talk about anything else. Judge Oakley modified the bond and approved the third party only for visitation.
Attorney Krause said she has the paper discovery but she still needs the recorded 911 call, photos, and body cam or videos. Judge Oakley adjourned the probable cause conference for two weeks until June 24. Prosecutor King said he would work on getting the discovery for Krause.
On June 24, Prosecutor King said Belleville does not have in-car or body video, but the complainant has a four-second video clip. Krause asked for an in-person exam and Judge Oakley said, “We’ll put you on the list.”
Todd Andrew Blake
Todd Andrew Blake, 55, of Ypsilanti was due for his probable cause conference on June 3 before Judge Oakley, but his appointed attorney, Earl Washington from the Neighborhood Defenders Service, had yet to make contact with the defendant. Judge Oakley adjourned the probable cause conference to June 10.
On June 10 Blake was present by Zoom and Washington said he didn’t have the dash cam or body cam video from Sumpter Township. Since Washington didn’t agree to sign a protective order, Prosecutor King, said it would take a little longer so the prosecution could review and redact the video.
Judge Oakley set another probable cause conference for 9 a.m., June 24. Prosecutor King said after Washington has a chance to review the video, it may affect his request to hold a preliminary exam by Zoom. On June 24 the probable cause conference was adjourned to July 1.
On July 1, Washington demanded a preliminary exam for his client, which was held by Zoom on July 29. Blake was bound over to circuit court at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice for an arraignment on the information on Aug. 12.
Blake is charged with fleeing police in a vehicle and driving while license suspended-2nd in Sumpter Township on Nov. 6, 2018. He was due to be released from the Michigan Department of Corrections on another charge on Aug. 2, 2019 but he failed to appear at 34th District Court on Aug. 14, 2019, as ordered, so a bench warrant was issued. There was adjoining state pickup and he was brought back to face charges.
Terrance Travail Finch
Terrance Travail Finch, 30, of Van Buren Township, was due for his probable cause conference on June 10 before Judge Oakley, but his Neighborhood Defense Service attorney Nancy Richards said she didn’t have the body cam videos yet from Van Buren Township PD.
Judge Oakley adjourned the probable cause conference for a week, until June 17 at 9:40 a.m. and continued personal bond of $5,000 with the condition he stay away from the alleged victim.
Attorney Richards said her client wants a live preliminary exam. Judge Oakley said they are trying to catch up on all the exams and the prosecutor will write a motion on the live exam request and he, as judge, will rule on it.
Finch is charged with assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder and domestic violence on May 27 in Van Buren Township.
On June 17, Judge Green adjourned the probable cause conference one more week, until June 24, because the discovery still had to be obtained from VBT. On June 24 Judge Oakley put the case on the list for a live preliminary exam. Then, on July 1, the defense attorney still needed discovery and the attorney was having trouble making contact with the defendant. The case will be reviewed July 31.
Rebecca Nicole Rose
Rebecca Nicole Rose, 36, of Van Buren Township, was bound over for trial in circuit court after waiving her preliminary exam on June 24 before Judge Oakley. Her arraignment on the information was July 8 at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice in Detroit. A calendar conference has been set for Aug. 14.
She is charged with assault to do great bodily harm less than murder, assault on a police officer, and domestic violence in VBT on April 25. She is free on personal recognizance bond of $10,000.
Dominick Robert Anderson
Dominick Robert Anderson, 23, of Sumpter Township, had his probable cause conference adjourned until July 15 so his defense attorney Murray Duncan could get some other digital discovery, including Judge Oakley’s ordered release of a tape of the witnesses’ recorded interviews.
His live preliminary exam was scheduled for 9 a.m., July 30, at 34th District Court. There is one witness.
On July 29, Judge Green was advised the 15-year-old victim, who lives in Ohio, had undergone treatment in an emergency room and now is in a crisis center. Also, the mother advised there is no vehicle to drive from Ohio, three hours away.
“She’s in a crisis center … and her undisclosed medical issue is a concern to me,” said Judge Green, who agreed to a short adjournment. She set the live preliminary exam for 10:30 a.m., Aug. 10.
Anderson is charged with five felony counts of criminal sexual conduct – third degree (person 13-15) on Nov. 26 in Sumpter Township. He is free after posting bond of $10,000/10% and bond was continued.