Detroit Police Make Arrest in Connection With Triple Homicide

March 13, 2013
by The Law Office of Steven L. Schwartz

The Detroit Police Department said in a statement that they have a 24 year old man in custody in relation to a triple homicide carried out in a west side home last week. The police spokesperson said no additional information regarding the circumstances of the incident would be revealed at this time.

Triple Homicide Arrests Made by Detroit Police

According to various sources, some sort of altercation took place last Wednesday, which ended with the man now in custody making statements to the effect that he would return to “kill them” (the resultant victims).

Witnesses stated that a mother and daughter had been squatting in a home that was supposed to be vacant. Neighbors called police after they heard shots fired shortly after 8 p.m. last Wednesday evening, but apparently officers never came in order to investigate.

The following morning, a friend went to the home and discovered three dead bodies, two women and one man. Apparently, there were also two young girls, ages 1 and 5, present at the time of the shootings, but they were not physically harmed. According to a friend who was present in the home just before the shooting took place, the mothers of the girls are the two women who were killed.

Due to the fact that there is incredibly limited information surrounding this case, it is unclear what the man in custody will be charged with. In any criminal matter, the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This requirement attaches to each individual element of the relevant crime.

Additionally, a potentially lesser well known fact is that the police and any government agencies involved in the collection of the evidence must strictly follow guidelines and procedures for gathering evidence. One commonly known illustration of this is the required administration of the Miranda warnings (“You have the right to remain silent…”) prior to a custodial interrogation. In addition to the relevant state and federal criminal statutes, there is well established case law regarding what can and cannot be asked following an individual’s invocation of the right to remain silent and what amounts to a custodial interrogation, among other concerns.

It is also of the utmost importance to remember that police officers and other governmental officials do not have your best interests in mind when conducting an investigation. An experienced criminal defense attorney can advise you regarding what sort of statements are detrimental, and can additionally seek to have improperly collected evidence excluded from consideration in your case.

Attorney Steven L. Schwartz is a pre-eminent Michigan criminal defense attorney, with over 25 years of experience serving the Detroit area. His practice is dedicated entirely to criminal defense matters. In his dedication to his clients, Steven strives to ensure a dismissal, not guilty verdict or reduced charges. Attorney Schwartz has additionally received the distinguished honor of being AV Rated by the Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating System. Despite his accomplishments, he takes pride in being accessible to clients and potential clients 24/7. If you want a criminal defense attorney in the Detroit area who is experienced and dedicated, you can reach us through our website or by calling (248) 266-8720 to schedule your initial consultation.

Former Michigan Supreme Court Judge Pleads Guilty to Fraud Charges, Michigan Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog, published March 6, 2013.
Street Light Spurs Discussion About Crime in Detroit, Michigan Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog, published February 27, 2013.