thernbroom
Superstar
GENESEE COUNTY, MI - Five teen boys will be charged as adults in connection to the Oct. 18 rock-throwing death of a 32-year-old Mt. Morris man.
Charges of second-degree murder, conspiracy to commit second-degree murder, and malicious destruction of property have been authorized against one 17-year-old and four 15-year-olds following a days-long investigation by the Genesee County Sheriff's Office that included multiple search warrants and interviews over the weekend.
The Genesee County Prosecutor's Office has authorized the charges against 17-year-old Kyle Anger and 15-year-olds Alexander Miller, Mark Sekelsky, Mikadyn Payne and Trevor Gray.
More than a dozen rocks were allegedly thrown from over the Dodge Road overpass along southbound Interstate 75 that struck multiple vehicles, including the van Keneth Andrew White was traveling in. The rock that struck that vehicle punctured the windshield and led to his death, authorities say.
Genesee County Sheriff Robert Pickell 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.
After throwing the items, the suspects went to eat at a local fast-food restaurant.
In coming to the decision on second-degree murder charges, Leyton said 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," he argued.
Pickell said the case is one that has elicited strong emotions for many people, including himself.
"All of us can relate to driving down I-75, which is why this case is so personal to many of us," he said.
Pickell 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."
The suspects are expected to be arraigned Tuesday, Oct. 24 in Genesee District Court.
