Ann Arbor
Man gets 25-50 years in prison in student's death
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) - A 22-year-old man offered an apology on Wednesday before being sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison for his involvement in the 2013 fatal shooting of a University of Michigan medical student.
"I know words really don't do anything here at this point," Shaquille Jones told the court. "I wish I could take it back."
Jones in January pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of Paul DeWolf, 25, who was attending medical school on an Air Force scholarship when he was shot during an armed robbery at the medical fraternity where he lived.
Judge Archie Brown said Jones' sentiment seemed heartfelt.
"What you do over these next few decades ... maybe you'll be able to do something that will further define your life," he told Jones.
Jones had stopped cooperating with prosecutors in September and had an earlier plea deal withdrawn that would have sent him to prison for at least 18 ½ years.
During the sentencing, Paul DeWolf's father, Thom DeWolf, said that he has had to forgive those responsible for his son's death to overcome hatred, anger, bitterness and other difficult emotions.
Trial started this week for Joei Jordan, 21, and was taking place Wednesday, The Ann Arbor News reported. A third defendant, 22-year-old Dajeon Franklin, was convicted by a jury last year and is imprisoned.
DeWolf was from the southwestern Michigan community of Schoolcraft and a graduate of Grand Valley State University. He was a reservist second lieutenant and had planned to join the Air Force full time after graduation.
It's because of Jones' actions that "the super hero of our family in life has now been taken from us," Thom DeWolf said.
"We have only good memories now and no future here on earth," he said.
Dover
Frat members responsible for acts of vandalism
DOVER TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) - Officials at ski resorts in Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula say University of Michigan fraternity members were responsible for thousands of dollars in vandalism.
WWTV/WWUP reports that police escorted students from Treetops Resort in Dover Township near Gaylord sometime last weekend. Resort general manager Barry Owens reports about $50,000 in damage to furniture, carpet, walls and ceilings.
Treetops identified them as members of Sigma Alpha Mu. The national fraternity's executive director Lee Manders declined comment.
The Associated Press left a message with Otsego County Sheriff Matt Nowicki.
Damage also was reported in condominiums at Boyne Highlands near Harbor Springs that officials say involved members of two other fraternities.
The university says in a statement that students will be held accountable and it expects repayment for all damages.
Flint
Former 'American Idol' finalist avoids jail
FLINT, Mich. (AP) - Former "American Idol" finalist LaKisha Jones has avoided jail on a civil contempt conviction for failing to pay her father's nursing home bills.
Genesee County Probate Judge Jennie Barkey had ordered Jones to serve 45 days in jail, but she was given the chance to avoid incarceration if she paid more than $5,000 she owed along with $2,000 in attorney's fees. Barkey earlier found Jones in contempt for not paying Lonnie Jones' bills.
Christopher Ebbott, a lawyer representing LaKisha Jones, tells The Flint Journal the money was turned over Tuesday. Ebbott says it was an "unfortunate situation" when Jones didn't have enough money for her father's bills.
The 35-year-old Flint, Michigan, native finished fourth in 2007 on the TV talent show and performed on Broadway in "The Color Purple."
Kalamazoo
Man sentenced for beating girlfriend with puppy
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (AP) - A 51-year-old man has been sentenced to six months in jail after authorities say he beat his girlfriend with a two-week-old puppy, causing the animal's death.
Timothy Tucker also was sentenced Tuesday to four years of probation and entry into the Swift and Sure Sanctions Program. He was ordered to pay state fees and restitution.
Tucker pleaded guilty in December to third-offense domestic violence as a second-time habitual offender. The Kalamazoo Gazette reports one count of killing/torturing animals was dismissed was part of a plea deal.
According to court documents, Tucker punched his girlfriend in the face in November, and then repeatedly struck her with the couple's puppy.
Tucker will receive credit for 68 days he's already served in jail.
Grand Rapids
Man pleads no contest in teen's 2013 murder
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) - A Grand Rapids man accused in the 2013 murder of a 16-year-old has accepted a plea deal with prosecutors.
Juan Chavarria pleaded no contest Tuesday to second-degree murder and possessing a firearm while committing a felony. The 19-year-old was charged this summer in the August 2013 drive-by shooting death of Luiz Gonzalez.
Grand Rapids police have said they don't believe Gonzalez was the intended target.
WOOD-TV reports Chavarria was initially charged with perjury in connection with the murder, but it will be dropped in accordance with the plea agreement.
The county prosecutor's office will recommend Chavarria receive a minimum sentence between 15 and 20 years on the murder charge.
Sentencing for Chavarria is scheduled next month.
Kalamazoo
WMU revises sexual assault policy
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (AP) - Western Michigan University has a new policy designed to make it easier for students and staff to report cases of sexual assault.
WOOD-TV reports the Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment and Violence, Intimate Partner Violence, and Stalking Interim Policy and Procedures were put in place this month.
The policy will be finalized following feedback from students, faculty and staff. An online site for input has been set up.
Under the new policy, reports of sexual misconduct and investigations into those reports will be handled by the Office of Institutional Equity. The investigations into violations of the Kalamazoo school's policy will be separate from police investigations conducted.
Western Michigan says it was working on the policy before a federal investigation into violations of Title IX at schools nationwide.
Published: Thu, Jan 22, 2015
