Police investigating Detroit shooting as wife, kids seek help

Samir Hannawa rarely hesitated to help others in need.

Once, when his wife asked why he did it so often, the 50-year-old Iraqi native simply responded: "I can't help it."

"He could never deny someone," said his niece, Shennel Hannawa. "Even if he had very little to give, he would give it."

Now, his family is without his support and Crime Stoppers of Michigan is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for tips that lead to an arrest.

Last month, weeks shy of his 20th wedding anniversary, Hannawa was shot to death outside a repair shop on Detroit's west side.

Police have no suspects; meanwhile, his wife struggles to care for their seven children, who range in age from 2 to 19.

By Mark Hicks
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Cipriano expected to testify today over statements given after death of father

Pontiac — A man charged with first-degree murder in the baseball bat beating of his father in April is expected to testify Thursday in Oakland Circuit Court regarding whether statements made to police after his arrest were willing and voluntary, according to his attorney.

Tucker Cipriano, 19, and Mitchell Young, 20, are both charged in the beating death of Cipriano's father, Robert, and assault with intent to murder in the attacks on Robert Cipriano's wife, Rosemary, and son Salvatore, 17, in the April 16 home invasion.

"I want him to discuss his thoughts about what happened after he was arrested," said Mitchell Ribitwer, Cipriano's attorney. "There is a question on how statements were taken from Tucker, whether they were made willinging and voluntarily and also if he was properly advised of his (Miranda) rights. He said he told them he didn't want to talk but they continued the interview anyway. I think it should have stopped then.

By Mike Martindale
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Ferguson ex-worker: Boss bullied way to deals

City contractors felt forced to work with him, go-between says

Detroit — Bobby Ferguson was a foul-mouthed, paranoid bully willing to twist arms of fellow contractors and punish those who crossed his path, one of his former employees testified Wednesday.

Bernard Parker III, who acted as a business liaison for Ferguson and several companies identified as victims of the alleged extortion of Ferguson and former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, detailed multiple deals in which contractors felt forced to work with Ferguson or lose the work.

Parker, the son of a Wayne County commissioner by the same name, said Ferguson erupted in fall 2003 when an employee of Walbridge Aldinger sent Ferguson a letter complaining about demands on a $70 million sewer project. Former mayoral aide Derrick Miller pressured Parker to add Ferguson to the deal, Parker testified.

By Mike Wilkinsonand Robert Snell
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Texts a powerful weapon for feds in Kilpatrick trial

Messages may be more reliable than some witnesses

Detroit — For all their success at chipping away at witnesses called to support claims that Kwame Kilpatrick cashed in on a corrupt City Hall, defense attorneys have had a recurring problem: text messages.

With few expecting Kilpatrick or contractor Bobby Ferguson to testify in their ongoing racketeering trial, their intimate conversations have provided jurors with a rare insight into their private actions. Tuesday might have been the worst day so far for the defense.

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Kilpatrick due in court today over book proceeds

Detroit — Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, facing racketeering charges in federal court Wednesday morning, is set to appear this afternoon in Wayne County Circuit Court for another hearing about the proceeds of his autobiography.

County officials confirmed the hearing last week, shortly after it was revealed Kilpatrick was late with a $500 restitution payment to the city. Authorities want to know more about the former mayor's finances — specifically, about the proceeds from the sales of his book, said Russ Marlan, Michigan Department of Corrections spokesman.

"There is some uncertainty about where all the money from the book sales has gone," Marlan said last week. "Kwame Kilpatrick has indicated he's received none of it. But books are being sold. People are paying for the book and money is going somewhere."

By Steve Pardo and Robert Snell
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Capitol protests marked by swings, sprays and 3 arrests

Lansing — Thousands of demonstrators who earlier in the day swarmed over the Capitol and its grounds to protest the state House's passage of right-to-work legislation were virtually all gone by this evening.

Both chambers were adjourned after a raucous day that led to three arrests, some protesters being pepper sprayed and the tent of a conservative group being torn down.

The two were detained after they tried to push past troopers to get inside the George Romney Building across from the Capitol where the governor has an office, State Police Capt. Harold Love told reporters. A third was arrested after not following trooper orders outside the Romney building.

By Serena Maria Daniels, Tony Briscoe and Susan Whitall
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Eight face felony charges after Thursday's right-to-work protest arrests

Lansing — The Ingham County Prosecutor's Office will file felony charges against eight people who tried to crash through a human barrier of police while protesting pending right-to-work legislation Thursday in the state capital.

In a Tuesday morning press release, Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings III said he would charge the eight with "resisting and obstructing" after they tried to break through a line of Michigan State Police troopers to get into the Senate chamber.

"The First Amendment clearly states that the right of free speech is one of our most cherished liberties," Dunnings said.

"It was attested to me that these tactics went beyond passive resistance, and involved physical aggression towards the police … "

By Tom Greenwood
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Car crash reveals marijuana growing operation in Independence Twp.

Independence Township — A crash between two cars ended up with the arrest of a 26-year-old Independence Township man for growing and possessing marijuana in his home.

Oakland County Sheriff's Deputies were called to an address in the 500 block of Sunnyside Drive at about 10:30 p.m. Saturday after receiving reports of a crash between two vehicles.

One vehicle had careened off the road and struck the home, damaging its gas meter and requiring the meter's replacement by Consumers Energy.

Fearing a gas leak in the home, repairmen forced their way into the home along with members of the Independence Township Fire Department.

Once inside, they found a sophisticated marijuana growing operation in the basement.

Firefighters alerted the Oakland County Narcotics Enforcement team who arrived to confiscated 12 plants, four pounds of usable marijuana packed in 20 separate Mason jars, two digital scales, packaging materials and documents.

They also seized $221 in cash, a lap top computer and a marijuana growing manual.

The homeowner returned during the search process and was arrested. He is currently lodged in the Oakland County Jail.

By Tom Greenwood
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Prosecutors in Kilpatrick trial aim to fight defense claims over airport security

Detroit — Federal prosecutors strapped $90,000 to an FBI agent and had him go through Detroit Metropolitan Airport security 100 times to prove an alleged bagman could have flown across the country and delivered illicit money to Kwame Kilpatrick.

Prosecutors want to put the FBI agent on the witness stand in the City Hall corruption case to bolster testimony from a government witness, according to a federal court filing. They also want to fight defense claims that security measures — and common sense — make it unlikely courier Mahlon Clift delivered the cash to Kilpatrick in 2008.

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Feds: Businessman embezzled $3M from Detroit, Pontiac public pension funds

Detroit — A Georgia businessman was accused by federal prosecutors Friday of embezzling approximately $3 million from Detroit and Pontiac public pension funds — the latest criminal charge in a growing scandal that also has ensnared Kwame Kilpatrick's fraternity brother, ex-Detroit Treasurer Jeff Beasley.

Roy Dixon of Atlanta, Ga., was named in an indictment unsealed Friday in federal court. The indictment was not immediately available.

He is the latest person charged in a long-running FBI probe of Detroit City Hall corruption, which has led to convictions of two dozen people, including former Detroit Councilwoman Monica Conyers.

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Grandmother's fatal shooting trial is March

'Jail wearing on' devastated W. Bloomfield suspect accused in slaying of grandson

Pontiac — The health of the Oakland County grandmother charged with killing her teenage grandson has deteriorated while she's been in jail the past several months, her attorney said Thursday.

Sandra Layne, 74, of West Bloomfield Township was scheduled for trial March 4 on premeditated first-degree murder charges during a pretrial conference in Oakland County Circuit Court. She's accused of shooting grandson Jonathan Hoffman, 17, to death during an argument May 18 at her condominium, where he was staying with her.

"It's pretty clear jail is wearing on her — she loved him and is devastated by this," said her attorney, Jerome Sabbota. "She became mother and father to him. … She got herself into a bad situation (caring for the grandson).

"He was not, let's say, the all-American boy. He had issues."

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Witness insists he was extorted by Kilpatrick, Ferguson

Detroit — Key government witness Tony Soave, under fierce questioning from defense attorneys Thursday, never wavered from claims Kwame Kilpatrick strong-armed him into hiring the ex-mayor's pal and bankrolling a millionaire lifestyle.

The Grosse Pointe Farms businessman withstood almost four hours of cross-examination — a rarity in a case that has seen other witnesses crumple after claiming they were extorted by Kilpatrick, his father Bernard Kilpatrick or contractor Bobby Ferguson.

Soave, 72, calmly answered questions about his business empire, deflected questions about his tough reputation and cracked jokes about his mental state during a quip-filled stint on the witness stand.

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City contracts tied to favors, cash, trips

Detroit — A wealthy local contractor says he lavished former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick with gifts and free trips on a private jet to preserve his multi-million business dealings with the city.

Anthony Soave, the former owner of a water and sewer line repair company, told federal jurors Wednesday that he began helping Kilpatrick after the mayor "held up" a $50 million contract until Soave dumped one minority contractor and hired Kilpatrick's friend, contractor Bobby Ferguson.

Soave said he pressed Kilpatrick in April 2002 why his contract wasn't moving forward. It was finalized during the waning days of his predecessor, Mayor Dennis Archer.

Kilpatrick was blunt, Soave said: "He told me I had the wrong subcontractor. I asked him what the right one was. He told me Ferguson was the right one. I told him, 'OK, I'll make the change.'"

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Kilpatrick is due in court over finances

Authorities want to know more about proceeds from book

Detroit — Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, facing racketeering charges in federal court, is set to appear next week in Wayne County Circuit Court for another hearing about the proceeds of his autobiography.

County officials confirmed the hearing Wednesday, one day after it was revealed Kilpatrick was late with a $500 restitution payment to the city. Authorities want to know more about the former mayor's finances — specifically, about the proceeds from the sales of his book, said Russ Marlan, Michigan Department of Corrections spokesman.

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Kilpatrick narrowly dodges parole violation

Ex-mayor fails to pay restitution, questioned on community service

Detroit — A state prison official threatened to file parole violation charges against Kwame Kilpatrick because the former Detroit mayor had failed to prove he performed community service, The Detroit News has learned.

Kilpatrick also failed to pay $500 restitution to the city in November, an apparent violation of parole conditions imposed earlier this year amid concerns he was living beyond his means and hiding assets.

Interviews and public records indicate Kilpatrick is failing to comply with his parole, yet is receiving breaks from the state Department of Corrections. The News also learned Tuesday that Kilpatrick is being allowed to perform community service at a Texas megachurch that received more than $13,000 in donations from Kilpatrick years ago.

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Memory lapses mar Kado testimony

Changing story casts doubt on reliability in Kilpatrick case

Detroit — Karl Kado, one of federal prosecutors' star witnesses in their extortion case against former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, stumbled repeatedly Tuesday on details both small and large as he admitted his failing memory prompted him to tell federal agents he may have dementia.

Kado, who spent much of Monday confidently telling jurors how he gave Kilpatrick cash and gave more than $200,000 to his father Bernard to protect his contracting businesses at Cobo Center, cast doubt on his reliability as he contradicted himself repeatedly on cross-examination.

Over just a few minutes at the end of testimony Tuesday, Kado seemed to undo hours of prior testimony as he changed his story on how much he allegedly gave the Kilpatricks, about when he gave it, and why he did.

At first, he said one payout to Kwame Kilpatrick was after the 2001 election, and was adamant he did not give before, going so far as to say the notes of FBI agents who interviewed him were "wrong." Less than 30 minutes later, he said he did give Kilpatrick money during his campaign.

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Animal rights activist faces sentencing today for harassing WSU researcher

Detroit — An animal rights activist is expected to face sentencing Wednesday for using social media to harass a Wayne State University researcher and trespassing on university property.

Camille Marino of Wildwood, Fla., entered the plea in Wayne County Circuit Court last month to unlawful posting of a message with aggravating circumstances and trespassing.

Marino is accused of harassing Donal O'Leary, who does cardiovascular research involving animals at WSU.

O'Leary sought a personal protection order against Marino in October 2011 after she published his home address and comments about him on a "Negotiation is Over" blog and other Internet sites. The researcher subsequently received emails from animal rights activists, including Marino, that led him to fear for his safety.

By Christine Ferretti
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Convicted Detroit dad slams judge, disrupts court

Detroit — D'Andre Lane insisted Monday that he didn't murder or abuse his missing toddler daughter and called a judge a "liar" for ordering him to prison for life.

"My daughter is alive. She's missing, she will be found," Lane said in his plea to Wayne County Circuit Judge Vonda R. Evans before she imposed the sentence.

"It's easy to point the finger at me. We will correct every wrong that's taken place in this system," he added.

Lane, 33, of Detroit, was convicted in October of felony murder and child abuse in the Dec. 2, 2011, death of Bianca Jones. Prosecutors say the father of seven paddled the 2-year-old to death over a bed-wetting incident, disposed of her body at an incinerator and fabricated a carjacking to cover up the crime. Her body was never found.

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Kado testifies he paid big bribes to the Kilpatricks

Businessman tells court he felt like 'hostage at Cobo'

Detroit — Karl Kado offered an inside look at City Hall shakedowns Monday, telling a federal court he willingly paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, his father Bernard and others to keep multimillion-dollar contracts at Cobo Center.

Kado, 71, detailed how he first gave the money to keep food, cleaning and electrical contracts at Cobo — and then refused to continue. Eventually, he became a government witness whose cooperation led to 10 convictions.

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Detroit father given mandatory life in Bianca Jones murder case

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"I did not murder my child. I did not abuse my child," Lane said Monday, adding he was set up to “take the fall.” (David Coates/The Detroit News)

Detroit — A Detroit man convicted of fatally abusing his missing toddler was sentenced Monday to mandatory life in prison.

A Wayne County Circuit Court jury in October convicted 32-year-old D'Andre Lane of felony murder and child abuse in the Dec. 2, 2011, death of Bianca Jones.

Prosecutors say Lane paddled the 2-year-old to death over a bed-wetting incident, disposed of her body at an incinerator and fabricated a carjacking to cover up the crime.

"I did not murder my child. I did not abuse my child," Lane said Monday, adding he was set up to "take the fall."

By Christine Ferretti
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Conyers may soon leave prison

She is eligible for Dec. 10 release, move to halfway house to finish sentence for bribery

Detroit — Monica Conyers' stint at Camp Cupcake is almost fully baked.

The imprisoned ex-Detroit City Council president is expected to be released as early as Dec. 10 from a West Virginia federal prison dubbed Camp Cupcake because of its low security and mountainous setting.

The wife of U.S. Rep. John Conyers, D-Detroit, could move into a halfway house for six months while she finishes a 37-month sentence for bribery, said a source with knowledge of the situation.

The imminent return of one of the most polarizing politicians in recent Detroit history triggered speculation about Conyers' future.

"She has no political base, and nobody is expecting or looking forward to her coming back and getting into the political arena," said political strategist Eric Foster of Foster McCollum White & Associates in Troy. "She's a toxic asset."

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Detroit father to be sentenced in Bianca Jones murder case today

Detroit — A father who prosecutors say faked a carjacking to cover up the slaying of his 2-year-old daughter faces sentencing Monday for first-degree murder and child abuse.

A jury convicted 32-year-old D'Andre Lane of Detroit on Oct. 12. The law requires Wayne County Circuit Judge Vonda Evans to sentence him to life in prison without possibility of parole on the murder charge.

Lane told police that daughter Bianca Jones was in the back seat of his car in Detroit's North End neighborhood on Dec. 2, 2011, when the vehicle was taken at gunpoint. The car was found less than an hour later, but the girl was no longer inside.

Bianca's body has never been found.

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