- Posted October 09, 2014
- Tweet This | Share on Facebook
Bond request denied in road rage shooting
HOWELL (AP) - A judge denied a defense request Tuesday to release on bond a 69-year-old man charged with killing a motorist in what Michigan authorities said was a case of road rage after learning about a 2008 altercation involving different motorist.
Howell District Court Judge Carol Sue Reader scheduled a preliminary examination Nov. 21 for Martin Zale to determine if the case goes to trial.
Zale, who is held without bond, is charged with an open count of murder in the Sept. 2 shooting death of 43-year-old Derek Flemming in Livingston County. Flemming's wife has said her husband was shot in the head after getting out of his vehicle to ask why Zale was driving aggressively.
Defense lawyer Melissa Pearce has indicated she will argue self-defense if the case goes to trial. Zale's family issued a statement on Tuesday, saying they can't discuss details of the case, according to the Livingston County Daily Press & Argus of Howell.
"However we don't want our prior silence to be misinterpreted as inconsiderate behavior or denial of this tragic incident that will deeply scar two families forever," the statement said, adding later, "We stand united and strongly believe that when all the facts of this case are disclosed to an impartial jury."
Pearce made a request to change Zale's bond, but that was denied after Assistant Prosecutor Daniel Rose informed the court about Zale's 2008 case in Livonia, where Zale told police in a statement that he slapped a then-37-year-old man.
Published: Thu, Oct 09, 2014
headlines Oakland County
- Annual Dinner & Meeting
- FORCE Team arrests six in prolific auto theft ring
- Michigan allocates $12 million to support community-based organizations in advancing environmental and climate justice
- Oakland County and SMART launch pilot program providing free transit for veterans and dependents
- Supreme Court sides with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
headlines National
- More lawyers—and clients—want to learn about sustainable development practices
- Top artificial intelligence insurance tips for lawyers
- Lawyer charged with illegally transmitting Michigan data after 2020 election
- Viral video shows former Rikers Island inmate as she learns she passed bar exam on first try
- How Sullivan & Cromwell is scrutinizing potential new hires after campus protests
- No separate hearing required when police seize cars loaned to drivers accused of drug crimes, SCOTUS rules