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News Updates - August 31 - September 6, 2014
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Raphael Hearn - Co-Defendant of Raymone Jackson charged in the fatal shooting of a two-yearold girl in Carlyle Street in Inkster. His preliminary examination before Judge Sabrina Johnson has been moved to September 4, 2014.
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Wafer Sentenced in Renisha McBride Homicide
On November 15, 2013 Prosecutor Kym Worthy charged Theodore Paul Wafer, 54, of Dearborn Heights, Michigan in connection with the murder of Renisha McBride, 19, of Detroit. On November 2, 2013, at approximately 12:57 a.m., Renisha McBride was driving a white Ford sedan when she struck a parked car in the in the 7200 block of Bramell. McBride was observed to have blood on her body and appeared to be disoriented when she left the scene on foot.
At approximately 4:42 a.m., the police received a 911 call and were dispatched to a home in the 16800 block of West Outer Drive to respond to a fatal shooting. The police responded to the scene and observed the lifeless body of Ms. McBride in the front porch area of the defendant's house. McBride was found with a large gunshot wound to her face. It is alleged that Ms. McBride was unarmed when she was shot by the defendant as she knocked on the front screen door of the house. There were no signs of forced entry at the location.
Wafer was charged and convicted by a jury of Second Degree Murder, which carries a penalty of any term of years up to Life in prison; Manslaughter - Death By Weapon Aimed With Intent But Without Malice, which carries a penalty of up to 15 years in prison and Felony Firearm, which carries a penalty of two years mandatory consecutive. Today Judge Dana Hathaway sentenced Wafer to 15 to 30 years on the Second Degree Murder charge, seven to 15 years on the Manslaughter charge, and a mandatory two year consecutive sentence on the Felony Firearm charge.
"This is yet another case that shows the justice system at work in Wayne County - from the police investigators, the prosecutors, the jury and judge, to the family of Renisha McBride who stoically and patiently waited for justice. We all must remember that a young woman with her future ahead of her lost her life and will gone to us forever," said Prosecutor Worthy.
Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys Danielle Hagaman-Clark, Terry Anderson, Patrick Muscat and Athina Siringas of the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office Homicide Unit prosecuted the case.
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Three Detroit Men Charged in Death of French Street Artist
Charges Pending for 14-year-old Juvenile
Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy has charged Jasin Reno Curtis, 18 (DOB: 7/9/96), Dionte Darryl Travis 17 (DOB: 11/8/96) and Drequone Lamar Rich, 20 (DOB: 5/31/94), all of Detroit, in connection with the homicide of French Street Artist Bilal Berreni, 23, who was living in Detroit at the time of his death. On July 29, 2013 at approximately 2:50 p.m., Berreni was discovered dead at St. Antoine and Alfred Streets, near the old Brewster Project high rise buildings. Medical examiners later determined that he died of a gunshot wound to head.
An investigation conducted by the Detroit Police Department Homicide Task Force led to the arrests of Curtis, Travis, and Rich. It is alleged that the defendants robbed and killed Berreni. More specific facts and evidence that led to the arrest of the adult defendants will be presented in court at the preliminary examination in 36th District Court on September 11, 2014.
Curtis, Travis and Rich are each charged with Felony Murder, Armed Robbery, Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Felony Firearm. Curtis and Travis were arraigned on August 29, 2014 and Rich was arraigned on August 30, 2014. Please contact the Detroit Police Department for photographs of the defendants.
There is currently a 14-year-old male was recently arrested and is in custody in the Wayne County Juvenile Detention Facility. He is expected to be charged in connection with the homicide on Thursday, September 4, 2014. An updated release will be sent out once the charges are authorized tomorrow.
"It sickens me that a young, talented artist who had traveled the world to pursue his passion was murdered here, thus reinforcing the stereotypes for many about our City of Detroit. We will do everything that we possibly can under the law to bring the killers of Mr. Berreni to justice", said Prosecutor Worthy.
Thursday, September 4, 2014
Erin Justice - WCPO has just been informed this morning that defense counsel requested that the court hearing in this matter be moved from this afternoon and held this morning. That request was granted Judge Ruth Carter. The defendant has been referred for a competency evaluation at the Forensic Center and the next court date is November 6, 2014.
Three Detroit Men Charged in Murder of French Street Artist
Felony Murder Charges Issued for a 14-year-old Juvenile
Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy has charged Jasin Reno Curtis, 18 (DOB: 7/9/96), Dionte Darryl Travis 17 (DOB: 11/8/96) and Drequone Lamar Rich, 20 (DOB: 5/31/94), all of Detroit, in connection with the homicide of French Street Artist Bilal Berreni, 23, who was living in Detroit at the time of his death. On July 29, 2013 at approximately 2:50 p.m., Berreni was discovered dead at St. Antoine and Alfred Streets, near the old Brewster Project high rise buildings. Medical examiners later determined that he died of a gunshot wound to head.
An investigation conducted by the Detroit Police Department Homicide Task Force led to the arrests of Curtis, Travis, and Rich. It is alleged that the defendants robbed and killed Berreni. More specific facts and evidence that led to the arrest of the adult defendants will be presented in court at the preliminary examination in 36th District Court on September 11, 2014.
Curtis, Travis and Rich are each charged with Felony Murder, Armed Robbery, Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Felony Firearm. Curtis and Travis were arraigned on August 29, 2014 and Rich was arraigned on August 30, 2014. Please contact the Detroit Police Department for photographs of the defendants.
A 14-year old juvenile respondent was recently arrested and is in custody in the Wayne County Juvenile Detention Facility. On July 29, 2014, when he was 13 years of age, it is alleged that he participated as an aider and abettor in the armed robbery and homicide of Bilal Berreni. Today he has been charged and Adult Designated with Armed Robbery and Felony Murder. An Adult Designation allows the judge, during the sentencing phase, to sentence the respondent as a juvenile, or as an adult , or in the alternative, to have a blended sentence where the respondent can be sentenced as a juvenile for a period and then later as an adult. He is expected to have a preliminary hearing today at 1:30 p.m. that will be held in the Wayne County Juvenile Detention Facility at 1:30 p.m. before Referee Anthony Crutchfield.
"It sickens me that a young, talented artist who had traveled the world to pursue his passion was murdered here, thus reinforcing the stereotypes for many about our City of Detroit. We will do everything that we possibly can under the law to bring the killers of Mr. Berreni to justice," said Prosecutor Worthy.
Raphael Hearn - Co-Defendant of Raymone Jackson charged in the fatal shooting of a two-yearold girl in Carlyle Street in Inkster. His preliminary examination was held, he was bound over as charged, and remanded to jail before Judge Sabrina Johnson. His arraignment on the information will be held on September 10, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. Today his case has been joined with Defendant Jackson's case.
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