Man convicted in cold case murder from 1991

Midland County Prosecuting Attorney J. Dee Brooks, Midland County Sheriff Scott Stephenson, and Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette Tuesday announced the conviction of Michael Todd McIntyre, 52, of New Hudson. A Midland County jury found the defendant guilty of First Degree Murder in this cold case prosecution for the deadly 1991 attack of his ex-girlfriend's mother, Diane Ross, of Lee Township. "I would like to thank Prosecutor Brooks, Attorney General Schuette and the detectives that have put in so much time on this case, Detectives Scott Holzinger and Brent Benzing," said Stephenson. "Without Detectives Holziner and Benzing, Mr. McIntyre would still be a free man." "After this individual escaped prosecutor for more than two decades, credit must be given to the Midland County Sheriffs Office, Prosecutor's Office and Assistant Attorney General Oronde Patterson for their diligent work in securing today's conviction," said Schuette. "The dedication and skill of our local law enforcement are some of the reasons I am proud to call Midland County home." Sentencing is scheduled for December 14 before Judge Stephen P. Carras of the Midland County 75th District Court. Diane Ross, then a 43-year-old double amputee, was viciously beaten by Michael Todd McIntyre in her home in the early morning hours of August 7, 1991. She died several hours later from her injuries. Ross' then-five-year-old grandson was present at the time of the murder and sought help for his grandmother following the crime. The case went unsolved for 25 years. But in 2014, the Department of Attorney General was asked to join the investigation after a review of cold cases by Midland County Sheriff Scott Stephenson revealed new evidence pointing investigators toward a suspect and resulting in today's murder conviction of Michael Todd McIntyre. At the time of the murder, the victim's daughter had recently broken off a relationship with Michael McIntyre. He was interviewed by police about the murder of Diane Ross in 1991. In 2014, after a review of pending cold cases, additional witnesses were located and interviewed and physical evidence was submitted for further review. It was after this investigation that charges were brought against McIntyre. In March of 2016, Schuette, Brooks and Stephenson formally charged McIntyre for the murder of Diane Ross. Published: Thu, Oct 26, 2017