There has been a deadly twist nearly a month after a road rage shooting in Detroit. One of the shooting victims was supposed to testify in court, but the man was murdered Tuesday night.
"Unfortunately, the people have to report to this court that one of victims in this case, Mr. Brandon Charles, was shot and killed last night," a prosecutor told the judge Wednesday morning.
28-year-old Brandon Charles of Ypsilanti Township was scheduled to testify against two men. Instead, Charles was murdered around 9:50 p.m. Tuesday at a friend's home in Ypsilanti Township. He was shot in the torso in his car in the driveway.
"It's a surprise to everybody," Courtney told me.
She said Charles was at the home visiting her brother when he was killed.
However, this wasn't the first time he had been shot. On New Year's Day around 3:00 a.m., Charles and his girlfriend were leaving the MGM Grand Casino when they were involved in a road rage incident near Third and Bagley, cars cutting each other off. At I-94 near Junction they were shot.
Michigan State Police arrested 30-year-old Willie Lee Wimberly, charged with assault with intent to murder, and 33-year-old Steve Deshaun Smith-Rush, charged with being an accessory after the fact.
Charles was supposed to testify against them, but even investigators were surprised by what they heard.
"Usually we don't end up showing up for a preliminary exam and finding out that one of the victims has been murdered," said MSP Lieutenant Michael Shaw.
Michigan State Police say both Wimberly and Smith-Rush have been out on bond. They remain out on bond.
Wimberly's rap sheet is full of weapons charges -- drugs, resisting an officer, assault. In 2003, he was even charged with first-degree murder. A jury found him not guilty.
As for Smith-Rush, pass convictions include carrying a concealed weapon, armed robbery and carjacking.
Investigators are trying to determine if what happened in that Ypsilanti Township driveway is related to the road rage case. They're asking anyone with any information to contact the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department, state police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.
As for Charles, he has an extensive history of contact with police, as well -- drugs, weapons, assault -- and it's not yet clear why he was gunned down Tuesday night.
"Brandon was a very nice... loving person, and it's very sad," said Courtney.
Monday, June 17 2013 9:27 PM EDT2013-06-18 01:27:07 GMT
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
Friday, June 14 2013 5:57 PM EDT2013-06-14 21:57:29 GMT
Jurors have gone home without a verdict on the first day of deliberations in the trial of a Detroit police officer charged in the shooting death of a 7-year-old girl.
Jurors have gone home without a verdict on the first day of deliberations in the trial of a Detroit police officer charged in the shooting death of a 7-year-old girl.
Thursday, June 13 2013 5:44 PM EDT2013-06-13 21:44:55 GMT
It was a day of dramatic testimony in the manslaughter trial of the Detroit cop charged with killing seven-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones as Officer Joseph Weekley took the stand in his own defense.
It was a day of dramatic testimony in the manslaughter trial of the Detroit cop charged with killing seven-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones as Officer Joseph Weekley took the stand in his own defense.
Monday, June 10 2013 7:55 PM EDT2013-06-10 23:55:49 GMT
Testimony got emotional on Monday as the jury heard from Aiyana Jones' grandmother, but the defense questioned whether she has told two different accounts of what happened.
Testimony got emotional on Monday as the jury heard from Aiyana Jones' grandmother, but the defense questioned whether she has told two different accounts of what happened.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:20 AM EDT2013-06-19 15:20:12 GMT
Detroit mayoral candidate Mike Duggan ended his campaign Wednesday and will not challenge an appeals court ruling that bars him from the August primary ballot.
Detroit mayoral candidate Mike Duggan ended his campaign Wednesday and will not challenge an appeals court ruling that bars him from the August primary ballot.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:13 AM EDT2013-06-19 15:13:58 GMT
A search of a rural field in suburban Detroit has failed to turn up the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa, an FBI agent announced Wednesday as authorities ended the dig.
A search of a rural field in suburban Detroit has failed to turn up the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa, an FBI agent announced Wednesday as authorities ended the dig.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:45 AM EDT2013-06-19 13:45:33 GMT
Kid Rock has added an eighth date to his "$20 Best Night Ever" tour at DTE Energy Music Theatre. Officials say tickets for the Aug. 20 show will go on sale at 10 a.m. on June 22.
Kid Rock has added an eighth date to his "$20 Best Night Ever" tour at DTE Energy Music Theatre. Officials say tickets for the Aug. 20 show will go on sale at 10 a.m. on June 22.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:22 AM EDT2013-06-19 13:22:54 GMT
FBI agents in suburban Detroit began a third day of digging Wednesday in the search for the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa, who disappeared 38 years ago.
FBI agents in suburban Detroit began a third day of digging Wednesday in the search for the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa, who disappeared 38 years ago.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:41 AM EDT2013-06-19 12:41:21 GMT
Mike Duggan is expected to lay out his future plans Thursday, one day after an appeals court ruled that he doesn't meet Detroit residency requirements to put his name on the ballot for the Aug. 6 primary elections.
Mike Duggan is expected to lay out his future plans Thursday, one day after an appeals court ruled that he doesn't meet Detroit residency requirements to put his name on the ballot for the Aug. 6 primary elections.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 7:35 AM EDT2013-06-19 11:35:18 GMT
Detroit City Council member Kwame Kenyatta says he quitting Friday. Kenyatta didn't give a specific reason, but he says the council is virtually powerless now that Detroit is being run by an emergency manager.
Detroit City Council member Kwame Kenyatta says he quitting Friday. Kenyatta didn't give a specific reason to radio station WWJ, but he says the council is virtually powerless now that Detroit is being run by an emergency manager.
