In a preliminary examination held in Michigan, the case against defendant Calvin Cortez Craig, charged with homicide and firearm possession, faced significant procedural challenges. The court convened to address the absence of a key witness, who had failed to appear for the second consecutive time. Prosecutors expressed concerns about the witness's safety, citing her fear of the defendant and difficulties in locating her due to unstable housing conditions.
The prosecution requested a detainer for the witness, emphasizing her previous non-appearance and the potential intimidation from the defendant, which they argued could be inferred from jail calls where Craig discussed the witness and their shared living situation. The defense countered, asserting that the prosecution had not sufficiently demonstrated that the defendant was responsible for the witness's absence, arguing that she was simply moving about her life.
As the hearing progressed, the court admitted a postmortem report detailing the cause of death for the victim, Davonte Burgess, who died from multiple gunshot wounds, classified as a homicide. The prosecution also introduced evidence of Craig's prior felony conviction, which impacts his eligibility for certain legal considerations.
The defense raised concerns about the defendant's ability to communicate effectively during the proceedings, requesting that his handcuffs be loosened to allow him to take notes. The judge agreed to let security assess the situation.
The court's proceedings highlighted ongoing issues related to witness intimidation and the complexities of managing evidence in a homicide case, setting the stage for further legal developments as the case continues.