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NEWS UDPATES

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Mateen Cleaves - Defendant charged in the alleged sexual assault of a 24-year-old Mount Morris woman.* The Pretrial Conference originally scheduled for Thursday, November 29, 2018 before Seventh Circuit Court Judge Celeste Bell has been adjourned. The new date for the hearing is December 12, 2018 at 3:00 p.m.

*The charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Fatal Shooting at Marathon Station in Taylor - The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office has received a warrant request in connection with the November 16, 2018 fatal shooting of a woman at a Marathon Gas Station in the 22300 block of Ecorse Road. It is currently being reviewed. There will be an update when a charging decision has been made.

Inkster Man Charged in Non-Fatal Romulus Shooting

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged Kyon Lamar Smith, 27 (DOB: 08/28/1991) of Inkster, in connection with the armed robbery of a 37-year-old Romulus woman and a 39-year-old Romulus man, which escalated to the non-fatal shooting of the 37-year-old woman.

On November 24, 2018 at approximately 2:00 p.m., Romulus police officers responded to a dispatch about a woman with a gunshot wound to her face in the 6800 block of Waynecourse Street in Romulus. Upon arrival, officers found the victim who had sustained a significant gunshot wound. Medics transported the woman to a local hospital for treatment of her injuries.

It is alleged that the victim and an acquaintance met with a man at the Concorde Apartments in Romulus to discuss the purchase of a vehicle. It is further alleged that during the meeting, Smith approached the vehicle on the driver's side, pulled out a firearm and discharged it, striking the victim. Smith left the scene on foot and was later apprehended.

Smith has been charged with two counts Armed Robbery, two counts of Assault with Intent to Murder, two counts of Assault with Intent to Commit Great Bodily Harm, two counts of Felonious Assault, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Felon in Possession of Ammunition and 10 counts of Felony Firearm.*

Smith was arraigned this afternoon before 34th District Court Judge David Parrott. The Probable Cause Conference is scheduled for December 12, 2018 at 12:30 p.m. before 34th District Court Judge Lisa Martin. The Preliminary Examination is scheduled for December 19, 2018 at 9:05 a.m. before Judge Brian Oakley in 34th District Court. The defendant received a $1 Million dollar/10% bond.

*The charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

People v. Justly Johnson and Kendrick Scott - In 1999 Defendants Johnson and Scott were convicted during a bench trial of First Degree Felony Murder, Assault with Intent to Rob While Armed, and Felony Firearm in connection with the murder of Lisa Kindred. In 2018 the Michigan Supreme Court granted both defendants a new trial based on a recantation of testimony from several witnesses. Ms. Kindred's then eight- year- old son was a present when she was killed. At an evidentiary hearing after the defendants were convicted he testified that Johnson and Scott were not responsible for his mother's death.

Today the charges against both defendants were dismissed by the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office Homicide Unit without prejudice. After a review of the remaining evidence, it has been determined that WCPO is unable to proceed to trial.

Friday, November 30, 2018

CNN's years long investigation into the destruction of rape kits launched on November 29th. This is a powerful and comprehensive look at this important national issue. Destroyed - How the trashing of rape kits failed victims and jeopardizes public safety. By Ashley Fantz, Sergio Hernandez and Sonam Vashi Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy is included in the piece. www.cnn.com/destroyed

Macomb County Judge Catherine Steenland Sentenced in Hit and Run Case

On August 27, 2018, Prosecutor Kym Worthy charged Macomb County Judge Catherine Steenland, 51, with two misdemeanors in connection with a car collision that occurred in Roseville, Michigan. On January 19, 2018 the case was referred to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office by the Office of the Attorney General after Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith recused his office from the case. WCPO requested investigative work from the Michigan State Police that was necessary to the review of the case, and to make a charging decision.

On September 25, 2017 at approximately 8:30 p.m., police officers were dispatched to a hit and run incident at Gratiot near McKinnon Street in Roseville, Michigan. The officers spoke to a 31-year-old Roseville man, who alleged that a female driving a red sedan hit his car and drove away. The victim provided the officers with the license plate of the red sedan and description of the woman. There were also civilian witnesses that observed the incident. Investigation by the Michigan State Police identified Judge Steenland as the suspect in the case.

Judge Steenland was charged with one count each of Failure to Stop at the Scene of a Personal Injury Accident, a one year Misdemeanor, and Failure to Report an Accident, a 90 day Misdemeanor. Judge Steenland was arraigned in 72nd District Court in Marine City in front of Judge Hulewicz.

Prosecutor Worthy said: "The alleged actions of this judge are disturbing. A judge is the ultimate example of one who should be held to the highest standards of the law."

Judge Steenland was sentenced today to count one, Failure to Stop at the Scene of a Personal Injury Accident and count two, Failure to Report an Accident.

On count one she was sentenced to: a year in the St. Clair County Jail, which will be suspended upon successful completion of one year of probation on the failure-to-stop offense. She received a suspended 90-day sentence on count two. She must attend substance abuse counseling, no alcohol or drug use, cost and fines of $1000 and must complete 100 hours of community service.

*The charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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