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Monday, October 21, 2013

Darnell Henry Cheatham Charged in 2011 Homicide of Five-Year-Old Mariah Smith

Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy has charged Darnell H. Cheatham (DOB 8/21/1991), of Detroit, in connection with the July 24, 2011 death of then five-year-old Mariah Smith that occurred at approximately 8:00 a.m. at an abandoned home located in the 2900 block of Waverly in Detroit. After a fire was extinguished in the home, the charred body of a child was discovered lying on top of a mattress in the dwelling. The child was later identified as Mariah.

On July 24, 2011, at approximately 3:30 a.m., Mariah had last been seen sleeping in the front room of the home located in the 3820 block of Burlingame. Later that morning, Mariah was reported missing by her mother Konesha Smith, (DOB 1/10/87), a few hours after the fire was reported in the home on Waverly. The child's aunt, Quanita Smith, was also present in the Burlingame home with her boyfriend Darnell Cheatham in the during the early morning hours of July 24, 2011. It is alleged that Cheatham left the location, sexually assaulted and killed the child and afterward, set the mattress on fire in the house on Waverly Street. Further details of the crime will be revealed during the preliminary examination in the case.

Darnell Cheatham has been charged with the following crimes: First degree Premeditated Murder, Felony Murder, Arson- Dwelling House, Torture, Child Abuse, and Disinterment and Mutilation of a Dead Body.

"This very difficult case was solved due to the diligence and tenacity of Wayne County prosecutors and Wayne County Prosecutor's Office investigators. Much of the work was done on their own time to finally bring justice to little Mariah," said Prosecutor Worthy.

We have recently been informed by the police that Cheatham is expected to be arraigned at 2:30 p.m. in 36th District Court today in Courtroom 167.

Southwest Detroit Double Homicide at Senior Citizen Home - At this time we have not received a warrant request in this matter.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Southwest Detroit Double Homicide at Senior Citizen Home - We have received the warrant request and it is currently being reviewed. A press release will issue when a charging decision has been made.

Detroit Woman Charged in 2010 Highland Park Arson Fire

Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy has charged Reneco Michelle Graus, 34 (DOB 11/21/78) of Detroit, in connection with a fatal arson fire that occurred in a 56-unit apartment building on May 16, 2010, in the 270 block of Richton in Highland Park. Approximately 42 units were occupied by over 120 tenants at the time of the fire. It is alleged that Graus set fire to the door of an apartment which eventually spread to other parts of the building, killing victim Raymond Jordan, 64, of Highland Park. Jordan was forced to jump from the 4th floor of the building after firefighters were unable to reach him. More specific facts surrounding the case will be presented at the preliminary examination.

Graus is charged with the following crimes: Felony Murder, First Degree Premeditated Murder, three counts of Assault with Intent to Murder and two counts of Arson of a Dwelling.

The defendant was arraigned and remanded to jail today in 30th District Court in Highland Park by Judge Bridgette Officer. The preliminary examination will be heard on November 5, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. Please contact the Highland Park Police Department for a photograph of the defendant.

66-Year-Old Detroit Man Charged in Double Homicide at Senior Living Center

Today Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy has charged Mike Reda, 66 (DOB 2/8/47), of Detroit, in connection with the double homicide of two women that occurred on October 20, 2013 at approximately 5:15 p.m. at the Pablo Davis Elder Living Center located in the 9200 block of Vernor in Southwest Detroit. Reda is alleged to have armed himself with a long gun, fatally shooting Deborah M. Socia, 59 and Maria Victoria Gonzalez, 61, who were residents of the center. It is further alleged that Reda held a man at gunpoint, but the man was able to escape by running away. Both women were transported to a local hospital and pronounced dead as a result of suffering multiple gunshot wounds. More specific facts surrounding the case will be presented in court at the preliminary examination.

Reda has been charged with: two counts of First Degree Premeditated Murder, one count of Felony Murder, one count of Assault with Intent to Murder and Felony Firearm.

"Some of our elder citizens live in adult facilities so that they can live their lives in convenience and peace - certainly not to die in a blaze of bullets. The alleged actions of the defendant in this case not only took the lives of the victims, but has forever changed the lives of everyone in the facility, " said Prosecutor Worthy.

Reda is expected to be arraigned on Wednesday, October 23, 2013 in 36th District Court at 10:30 a.m. Please contact the Detroit Police Department for a photograph of the defendant.

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Mike Reda - Arraigned and remanded to jail today in 36th District Court. His preliminary examination is scheduled for October 31, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. before Judge Joseph Baltimore.

Devin Taylor Brown - Charged in connection with the fatal shooting of a 19-year-old woman in the 3200 block of Oakland Blvd. The preliminary examination will take place at 9:00 a.m. and not on the afternoon docket tomorrow.

Friday, October 25, 2013

Charles Jones and Chauncey Owens - Defendants charged in the murder of 17-year-old Southeastern High School student Je'rean Blake. A motion for adjournment requested by Defendant Owens's attorney was granted by the court today because of a trial scheduling conflict. The jury trial scheduled for Monday, October 28, 2013, has been adjourned until January 21, 2014, at 9:00 a.m. before Judge Richard Skutt.

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