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Monday, February 8, 2016

Antoine Beck - Defendant charged in the homicides of a Southgate woman and her 10-year-old son. Today Beck pled guilty to two counts of Second Degree Murder with a sentence agreement of 45-70 years in prison. He will be sentenced on February 24, 2016 before Judge Thomas Cameron.

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Gibraltar Woman Charged with Delivery of a Controlled Substance Causing Death

Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy has charged Belinda Guzzi-Ford, 52, of Gibraltar, in connection with the death of her nephew Kevin Aaron Bryant, 32, of Rockwood. On December 10, 2015 it is alleged that Defendant Guzzi-Ford delivered Methadone and Alprazolam (Xanax) to Mr. Bryant. On December 11, 2015 at approximately 7:10 a.m., Mr. Bryant's wife found him unresponsive in their home located in the in the 23200 block of Huron River Dr. and called the Rockwood Fire Department. Shortly thereafter Flat Rock Fire Department paramedics were also called to assist. Attempts to revive Mr. Bryant were unsuccessful, and he was pronounced dead at 7:54 a.m. The Wayne County Medical Examiner ruled that the cause of death was methadone and Alprazolam (Xanax) intoxication.

Defendant Guzzi-Ford is charged with: 1) Delivery of Methadone Causing Death: 2) Delivery of Methadone (in the alternative); and 3) Delivery of a Schedule 4 Substance Added by Rule (Alprazolam). She was arraigned today and received a $225,000 cash/surety bond before Judge Jennifer Coleman Hesson in 33rd District Court in Woodhaven, Michigan. The probable cause conference will be held on February 18, 2016 at 1:30 p.m. and the preliminary examination will be held on February 24, 2016 at 1:30 before Judge Coleman Hesson. See photograph attached.

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Virgil Smith - State senator charged in a non-fatal shooting incident involving his ex-wife on Wexford Street in Detroit. The final conference time before Judge Larry Talon is now February 9, 2016 at 2:30 p.m. It was changed to accommodate the prosecutor handling the case who is currently in trial. You will be updated if the time is changed again.

Robert Bashara - Reminder Judge Vonda Evans has changed the post-conviction motion date from February 11, 2016 until March 11, 2016.

Thursday, February 11, 2016

State Senator Virgil Smith Enters Felony Guilty Plea

Judge Talon to decide whether to accept the plea after sentencing memorandums are filed On May 12, 2015 Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy charged State Senator Virgil Smith, 35, of Detroit, in connection with a non-fatal shooting incident involving his 35-year-old ex-wife. On May 10, 2015 at approximately 1:00 a.m., Smith's ex-wife came to his home on Wexford Street and discovered another woman there. It is alleged that Smith physically assaulted his ex-wife and shot at her 2015 Mercedes multiple times with a rifle.

Guilty Plea and Conditions

Today Smith entered a guilty plea as charged to Malicious Destruction of Personal Property $20,000 or more, a felony carrying a maximum penalty of 10 years. The guilty plea was discussed with the complainant. As a result of the guilty plea the charges of Felonious Assault, Domestic Violence Assault and Battery, and Felony Firearm will be dismissed with the following conditions:

• Five years probation with the first 10 months to be served in the Wayne County Jail without early release.
  
• The defendant must resign his position as a state senator.
  
• The defendant cannot hold elective office or appointed office during the full term of his probation. 
  
• Submit to a mental health evaluation; the defendant must fully comply and provide monthly documentation with recommended treatment.
  
• Supply monthly documentation of alcohol and drug treatment.
  
• Surrender the weapon used in the crime or indicate the location where the weapon was disposed.
  
• Full restitution in an amount to be determined by the Court.
  
• The defendant waives any privilege and agrees to the release of the statement below.
  

Prosecutor Worthy said, "It is rare for the WCPO to dismiss a felony firearm charge when the weapon in question was discharged. In this case, however, after extensive review of the medical and psychiatric records of the defendant, I am convinced that there are extenuating circumstances to support dismissal of that charge. The following documented medical conditions contributed to the behavior of this defendant: 1. He suffers from bipolar depression, hypomanic; 2. He has a neurocognitive disorder related to a traumatic brain injury arising out of a documented rollover automobile accident that occurred on December 19, 2014, in Houston, Texas; and 3. He is presently in treatment for his alcohol dependency."

Judge Lawrence Talon will decide whether he will accept the plea at the March 14, 2016 sentence hearing. He has requested that both parties present a sentencing memorandum on March 1, 2016, to aid the court in determining whether he will accept the plea agreement. If the court does not accept the plea agreement, by law the defendant may withdraw his guilty plea. The defendant will remain on bond.

Friday, February 12, 2016

Michael Notoriano - The St. Clair Shores police sergeant had a jury trial this week on charges of Armed Robbery, Unlawful Imprisonment, Felonious Assault, Ethnic Intimidation, Felony Firearm and Willful Neglect of Duty in connection with a confrontation with some Detroit men over an iPhone stolen from his then 16-year-old daughter. Today the jury convicted the defendant of the one-year misdemeanor of Willful Neglect of Duty and found him not guilty of all other charges. He will be sentenced before Judge Timothy Kenny on March 8, 2016.

Assistant Prosecutor Maria Miller said, "We believe that the charges were warranted under the facts and evidence in this case. Although we are disappointed with the jury's verdict, we do note that they held Defendant Notoriano accountable for his conduct by finding him guilty of Willful Neglect of Duty."

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