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Two Detroit Men Charged with First Degree Murder, Carjacking, Unlawful Imprisonment and Felony Firearm in Killing of Gay Man


DETROIT - July 13, 2019 - Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy, with the assistance of the Fair Michigan Justice Project (FMJP), has charged Anthony Brock, 28 (DOB: 08/17/1990), and Darnell Wilson, 30 (DOB: 09/30/1988), both of Detroit, with first-degree murder and other crimes in the killing of Diano Johnson, a gay Detroit man. Prosecutors charged Brock and Wilson with one count each of First Degree Murder, Felony Murder, Armed Robbery, Carjacking, Unlawful Imprisonment, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and six counts Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony.* Brock was also charged with Arson, for allegedly setting Johnson's car on fire. The defendants are expected to be arraigned today after 11:00 a.m. in 34th District Court in Romulus. Please request a photograph of the defendants from the Detroit Police Department after the arraignment.

On June 19, 2019, Brock arranged to meet Johnson after the pair met on Facebook. It is alleged that Brock locked Johnson in the trunk of Johnson's car and picked up Wilson. It is further alleged that the two men obtained a firearm and drove Johnson to an east-side location, where they dragged him from the car and shot him multiple times. The following morning, Brock allegedly set Johnson's car on fire, burning his legs in the process.

Detroit Police officers discovered Johnson's body on June 21, 2019. Investigation by the Detroit Police department resulted in the arrest of Brock on June 25, 2019, and Wilson on July 12, 2019.

The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office assigned the case to Special Prosecutor Jaimie Powell Horowitz of the FMJP, which is collaboration between the Prosecutor's Office and Fair Michigan Foundation, Inc. FMJP is a program that assists Michigan law enforcement officers and prosecutors in solving serious crimes against lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender persons. This is the second FMJP case in three days. On Thursday, prosecutors charged Demetris Nelson with the murder of one gay man and assault with the intent to murder another.

Fair Michigan President Alanna Maguire said, "When members of Detroit's LGBTQ community are targets of violence, the Fair Michigan Justice Project is ready to vigorously prosecute these cases. These horrifying allegations demonstrate the ongoing need for determined efforts to bring justice for all."

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

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