Share:
Font Size:

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Father Charged with Manslaughter of Children who Died in House Fire

Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy has charged Kevin Deon Washington, 36 (DOB 5/6/77) of Detroit, in connection with the fatal fire death of his sons Damien Washington, four-years-old and Mekhi Williams, age one year. On December 6, 2013, at approximately 1:09 p.m., the Detroit Fire Department was called to a house fire at Washington's home located in the 16830 block of Prairie. When they arrived the house was engulfed in flames. The two boys were found in an upstairs bedroom, transported to a local hospital where they were pronounced dead from the effects of the fire.

Washington has been charged with two counts of Involuntary Manslaughter (failure to perform a legal duty: failure to properly supervise the children so that defendant could help them escape from the burning house) and two counts of Child Abuse Second Degree (failure to perform a legal duty: failure to properly supervise the children so that defendant could help them escape from the burning house). Involuntary Manslaughter carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and Child Abuse Second Degree carries a penalty of four years.

"Children left home alone have been glorified and celebrated in movies. This case is a prime example of the real consequences of children left home by themselves," said Prosecutor Worthy.

The Detroit Police Department has informed us that Washington is expected to be arraigned today at noon in 36th District Court. Please confirm this time with the court.

Robert Bashara - Grosse Pointe Park defendant charged with killing his wife Jane Bashara. On Tuesday, December 10, 2013, at 9:00 a.m, the defendant will appear in court before Judge Vonda Evans for a pre-trial conference. The court has set the following dates: January 9, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. for pre-trial hearing on discovery issues; January 31 and February 3, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. for motion hearings; March 3, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. for the jury trial.

#####

Taylor Father Charged in Death of Infant Daughter

Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy has charged Luis Marcos Smolen, 23 (DOB 11/2/90) of Taylor, in connection with the death of his six- month- old infant daughter Payton Smolen. On December 7, 2013 at approximately 9:40 a.m., officers from the Taylor Police Department were dispatched to a home located at 15450 block of Park Village because of a baby not breathing. The child was transported a local hospital where she was observed to have head trauma and injuries on her body. She was pronounced dead at the hospital at 4:45 p.m. on the same day. It is alleged that the defendant killed his daughter. Further details of the crime will be presented in court at the preliminary examination.

Smolen has been charged with First Degree Felony Murder (Life in prison without parole) and Child Abuse First Degree (20 years). We have been informed by the Taylor Police Department that Smolen is expected to be arraigned today at 2:30 p.m. in 23rd District Court in Taylor. Please confirm the time with the court.

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Teresa Alvarez - Alvarez was convicted of Felony Murder for the murder of 71-year-old Margaret Theut that occurred in November 2011 in Detroit. Today the defendant was sentenced by Judge Mark Slavens to life in prison without parole.

Friday, December 13, 2013

William Rice and Cheryl Sanford - Former DPD Homicide Lieutenant and co-defendant charged with Continuing Criminal Enterprise (CCE) and Perjury. Today both defendants pleaded guilty today before Judge Gregory Bill as follows:

William Rice:
He pleaded guilty on file #13-5691 to two counts of Perjury. The sentence agreement is 2-20 years on both counts and they run concurrent. He pleaded guilty on file #13-3607 to one count of CCE. The sentence agreement is two-20 years on the CCE. This will run concurrent to case 13- 5691. He also must pay restitution which is joint and severable as a condition of parole. The restitution amount is $100,196.00.

Cheryl Sanford:
She pleaded guilty on file #13-3607 to one count of CCE and one count of False Pretenses $1,000 to $20,000. The sentence agreement of five years probation, with the first year spent in the Wayne County Jail, no work release, no early release. She also must pay restitution, which is joint and severable as a condition of probation. The restitution is $100,196.00.

The sentence date is January 29, 2014 for both defendants. #

# # #