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NEWS UPDATES

Monday, April 23, 2018

Off-Duty DPD Officer Charged in Greektown Assaults

Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged off-duty Detroit police officer Willie Fortner, 25 (DOB: 09/02/1992), in connection with an incident that occurred in Greektown over the weekend. On April 21, 2018 at 2:13 a.m. at East Fort Street and Beaubien Street, it is alleged that the Fortner physically assaulted his 22-year-old girlfriend. A 29-year-old man and a 20-year-old man observed the defendant physically assaulting the woman, and both men intervened to protect her. It is alleged that Fortner had a verbal dispute with the men, went to the trunk of his car, removed a hand gun, and pointed it at both men, causing them to run for cover. Detroit police officers were dispatched to the location and placed Fortner under arrest.

The defendant has been charged with two counts of Felonious Assault, two counts of Felony Firearm, and one count of misdemeanor Domestic Violence.* He was arraigned today in 36th District Court and received a $15,000/10% bond. Fortner can have no contact with the victims and is not allowed to possess any firearms. The probable cause conference is on April 30, 2018 and the preliminary examination is on May 7, 2018.

*The charges are allegations unless and until the defendant isproven guilty.

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Car Crash at Fort and Miami Streets in Detroit - WCPO recently received the warrant request in connection with the fatal hit and run of an eight-year-old boy on April 19, 2018; a charging decision is expected today. An update will be sent out when the review process has been completed

Ecorse Man Charged in Fatal Car Crash Killing Eight-Year-Old Boy

Stephen Williams, 27(DOB: 8/07/1990), of Ecorse, has been charged by Prosecutor Kym Worthy in connection with a fatal hit-and-run car crash that killed eight-year-old Brandon Starks, of Detroit. (Brandon comes from the police report, his name has also been reported as Brandyn.) On April 19, 2018, at 5:00 p.m., it is alleged that Williams was driving on Fort Street and Miami when he struck the victim as he was pulling his wagon to go to a nearby park. After hitting the child, it is alleged that Williams fled the scene. On April 21, 2018 investigation by the Detroit Police Department lead to the arrest of Williams.

The defendant has been charged with one count each of Reckless Driving Causing Death, Operating with License Suspended Causing Death and Failure to Stop at the Scene of an Accident When at Fault Resulting in Death.* Williams was arraigned at 3:16 p.m. today and received a 500,000 cash/ surety bond. He will have his Probable Cause Hearing on May 1, 2017, and the Preliminary Examination is on May 8, 2018.

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

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Calvin Stephens - Adult designated juvenile charged in 2017 the Noel Night shooting incident that occurred near DIA. Today Stephens entered a no contest plea to two counts of Assault with Intent to Do Great Bodily Harm Less than Murder and one count of Felony Firearm.. The sentencing date is scheduled for May 25, 2018 at 1:30 p.m. before Judge Jerome Cavanagh in the Lincoln Hall of Justice.

Thursday, April 26, 2018

Detroit Man Charged in Fatal Shooting Captured on Instagram

Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged Dawone Cook, 18 (DOB: 04/25/1999), in connection with the fatal shooting of his friend Dylan Hemphill, 18, both of Detroit. On April 2, 2018 at 11:55 p.m. at a home in the 17600 block of San Juan, it is alleged that Hemphill and Cook were filming a live video on Instagram while playing with a rifle with a bayonet. Hemphill gave the weapon to Cook, who was handling the bayonet when the gun discharged, striking Hemphill. Hemphill suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head. Cook called 911 to the location and Hemphill was pronounced dead at the scene. Cook was placed under arrest, but was released pending the investigation and charging of the case.Today Cook has been charged with one count of Careless Discharge Causing Injury or Death, a misdemeanor with a two year maximum penalty.* He is expected to be arraigned in 36th District Court on Friday, April 27, 2018 at 10:30 a.m.

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

Friday, April 27, 2018

Detroit Man Charged in Paintball Case

Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged Davon R. Williams, 22 (DOB:03/24/1996), of Detroit, in connection with an a paintball gun. On April 25, 2018 at 8:37 p.m. it is alleged that Williams was in the area of Cooper and Moffat Streets in Detroit when a Detroit police captain in an unmarked police car observed approximately 50 people armed with pneumatic weapons* having a paint ball battle in the street.. The captain activated his lights to identify himself as a law enforcement official and exited the car. It is alleged that Williams fired shots in the captain's direction striking his unmarked City of Detroit car. The captain arrested Williams at the scene without incident.Today Defendant Williams has been charged with two 93 day misdemeanors, Assault, and Propelling an Object at Passenger Vehicle.** He is expected to be arraigned this afternoon at 2:30 p.m. in 36th District Court.

*The pneumatic weapon in this case was an air propelled paint gun rifle. **The charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Detroit Man Charged in Fatal Shooting Captured on Instagram

On Thursday, April 26, 2018 Prosecutor Kym Worthy charged Dawone Cook, 18 (DOB: 04/25/1999), in connection with the fatal shooting of his friend Dylan Hemphill, 18, both of Detroit.

On April 2, 2018 at 11:55 p.m. at a home in the 17600 block of San Juan, it is alleged that Hemphill and Cook were filming a live video on Instagram while playing with a rifle with a bayonet. Hemphill gave the weapon to Cook, who was handling the bayonet when the gun discharged, striking Hemphill. Hemphill suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head. Cook called 911 to the location and Hemphill was pronounced dead at the scene. Cook was placed under arrest, but was released pending the investigation and charging of the case.Cook has been charged with one count of Careless Discharge Causing Injury or Death, a misdemeanor with a two year maximum penalty.* Today Cook failed to appear for his 10:30 a.m. arraignment in 36th District Court. He will be apprehended by the police on the outstanding charge.

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

Man Charged in I-75 Fatal Crash Killing Two Women

Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged Douglas Muller, 25, of Royal Oak,, in connection with a fatal car crash that occurred on June 3, 2017 on southbound I-75 and Mack in Detroit. It is alleged that Muller caused the crash that killed Shelby Seyburn, 22, of Commerce Township and Sydney Zaleski, 23 of White Lake. The women were in the back of a Jeep that was struck as a result of a chain reaction crash caused by Muller's reckless driving.Muller has been charged with two counts of Reckless Driving Causing Death, two counts of Manslaughter, and two counts of Moving Violation Causing Death.* He is expected to be arraigned tomorrow in 34th District Court in Romulus after 11:00 a.m. tomorrow.

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

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