FLINT, MI - The five teenagers accused of throwing more than a dozen rocks from a highway overpass - including one that pierced a van's windshield and killed a 32-year-old Mt. Morris man - were arraigned in court on Tuesday, Oct. 24, on second-degree murder and other charges.
The teens were arraigned before Genesee District Judge William H. Crawford II on Tuesday, Oct. 24 on charges of second-degree murder, conspiracy to commit second-degree murder, malicious destruction of property and other felony and misdemeanor charges in connection with the death of Kenneth A. White.
Families for both White and the suspects were in the courtroom as Crawford read off the charges for each suspect.
Those charged include 17-year-old Kyle Anger, 16-year-olds Mark Sekelsky and Mikadyn Payne, along with 15-year-olds Alexzander Miller and Trevor Gray, all of Clio.
Crawford denied bail for all five citing "the seriousness of the nature of these charges and the danger to the public."
In total, the teens each face eight felonies and two misdemeanors in connection with White's death.
Anger is being held in the Genesee County Jail, while the other teens are being held in the Genesee Valley Regional Center for juveniles.
All face the possibility of up to life in prison.
More than a dozen rocks were allegedly thrown from over the Dodge Road overpass along southbound Interstate 75 and struck multiple vehicles, including the van White was traveling in. The rock that struck that vehicle punctured the windshield and led to his death, authorities say.
White's family declined to comment on the incident Tuesday, Oct. 24.
The teens are due back in court on Nov. 2.
Genesee County Sheriff Robert Pickell previously said tires and an engine piston also were thrown from the Farrand Road overpass onto I-75, roughly three miles north from where White was killed. Several other vehicles sustained damage, including flat tires, from items thrown onto the interstate.
The rocks, one weighing 20 pounds, were gathered from a dead-end street in Vienna Township and put in the flatbed of a pickup truck, Pickell said.
"It's just a sad situation that hopefully will be determined by the facts of the case," said Fred Meiers, the attorney for Gray.
After throwing the items, the suspects went to eat at a local fast-food restaurant investigators said on Monday while announcing the charges.
In coming to the decision on second-degree murder charges, Leyton said on Monday that Michigan law doesn't call for first-degree murder charges in this case.
"While some may be saying, 'Well, we want first-degree murder.' I don't believe there was pre-mediation (to cause a death) here," Leyton said.
Pickell previously said this case goes beyond teens joking around.
"It's not a prank. It's second-degree murder. I don't think anybody is laughing," said Pickell. "I think if there's any warning both David and I could give, it's telling young people you make a bad decision you could be spending the rest of your life in prison. This is not a prank."
FlamingWarPig on October 24th, 2017 at 19:32 UTC »
I have anxiety whenever I see someone on an overpass I'm driving under. This is why.
Ruvial9330 on October 24th, 2017 at 19:19 UTC »
Good. It is very important to note that the teens did more than just mindlessly toss a rock over an interstate that happened to kill someone - they purposely went to a different location and filled the back of a pickup truck with debris, they drove to I-75, and then began throwing a variety of debris at the cars below - one item was a 20 lb. rock. This was an intentional evil act - they threw down the debris, knowing the damage they were doing, and then went to a fast food restaurant to hang out. They murdered a guy and could have caused additional deaths with their actions.
laputa9 on October 24th, 2017 at 19:06 UTC »
I have zero sympathy for these people. At the age of 17, 16, and 15, you should have enough common sense to know that hurling rocks off an overpass at moving vehicles is a dangerous thing to do. They murdered a 32 year old father. They should absolutely be serving time behind bars.