Teen convicted of killing Michigan man found dead after fire
BAY CITY, Mich. (AP) — A teenager has been convicted of killing a Michigan man whose stabbed body was found during a house fire.
The Bay City Times reports a jury found 17-year-old Rodrick Williams guilty Tuesday of charges including second-degree murder. He faces up to life in prison when sentenced June 20.
Prosecutors say Williams and Demarckeon M. “Marcus” Jackson on Nov. 22, 2016, went to 59-year-old Steven Bouza’s Bay City home. They say Williams choked Bouza and stabbed him nine to 12 times.
Defense lawyer Andrea J. LaBean argued Jackson killed Bouza.
The house was ransacked. Two days later, on Thanksgiving Day, prosecutors say they set fire to Bouza’s house in an attempt to conceal the crimes.
Jackson, who earlier pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, testified against Williams. Jackson’s sentencing is June 12.
Ex-NFL player sues Michigan State over 2016 expulsion
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A former NFL football player is suing Michigan State University, saying his rights were violated when he was expelled after a sexual misconduct investigation.
Keith Mumphery was not charged with a crime. But he says his NFL career was ruined after his 2016 expulsion from a graduate program was reported by news media a year later.
Mumphery, a wide receiver, was cut by the Houston Texans in 2017. He had 24 catches over two seasons.
A lawsuit was filed Tuesday in federal court in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The lawsuit says Michigan State took action against Mumphery to “appease” a female student, despite “numerous inconsistencies” about what had happened between the two in 2015.
Michigan State declined to comment.
Appeals court again rejects sentence in teen’s death
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Seven years later, the prison sentence remains unsettled in the death of a northern Michigan girl who was stabbed and buried in sand.
The state appeals court says Robert Schwander should return to Grand Traverse County court for a fourth time.
The appeals court this week says judges repeatedly have failed to fully explain why Schwander’s sentence should greatly exceed the guidelines. In 2011, he was convicted of second-degree murder in the death of 16-year-old Carly Lewis.
During his third trip to court, he was ordered to serve at least 40 years in prison before becoming eligible for parole. But the appeals court, in a 2-1 decision, says the punishment was “unreasonable and disproportionate.”
The 24-year-old Schwander will face a third judge. Two others who handled his case have retired.
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