A Clinton County Circuit Court Judge has denied former DeWitt Police Officer Chad Vorce’s motion to dismiss the Felonious Assault, Felony Firearm, and Misconduct in Office charges filed against him as a result of his actions against a newspaper delivery driver, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced. The court also denied Vorce’s motion to subpoena the victim’s employee personnel file.
On January 14, 2021, shortly after 7 a.m., Chad Vorce, 43, of DeWitt Township, twice drew his firearm while off duty—and outside of his jurisdiction—after approaching a van he described as driving erratically in his neighborhood. The driver of the van was delivering newspapers for the Lansing State Journal.
Vorce followed the van out of the neighborhood, which is west of Airport Road roughly a mile north of I-69. The first time he drew his weapon was on Airport Road. Vorce drew his weapon a second time in a gas station parking lot where the van driver eventually stopped.
On-duty law enforcement from both DeWitt Police and Michigan State Police ultimately arrived on scene at the gas station.
“This incident illustrates why the Public Integrity Unit at the Department of Attorney General is so important,” Nessel said. “My public integrity team will continue to hold officers accountable for their actions and will pursue cases where members of law enforcement neglect their oath to protect and serve.”
The van driver’s mother contacted MSP in December 2021 to indicate that he wanted to pursue charges against Vorce. The matter was then referred to the Department of Attorney General.
A Daubert hearing is scheduled for June 21 at 9 a.m., to determine whether a proposed defense expert will be allowed to testify at trial. Vorce’s trial is scheduled for September 19 at the 29th Circuit Court in St. Johns, Mich. with Judge Cori E. Barkman presiding.
