Michigan
Warren man convicted of second-degree murder
A Macomb County jury convicted Kayvon Briscoe Hall, 21 of Warren, of Second-Degree Murder and Felony Firearm in the shooting death of his partner, according to Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido.
Briscoe Hall’s 5-day jury trial began on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, before the Honorable Kathryn Viviano of the Macomb County Circuit Court. On Tuesday, July 14, 2026, after less than two hours of deliberation, the jury returned its verdict of guilty as charged on the following counts: Homicide – Murder – Second-Degree, a felony, punishable by life or any term of years; Weapons - Felony Firearm, a 2-year felony, consecutive to main charge.
Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys Elizabeth Abbo and Maria Panchenko prosecuted the case on behalf of The People.
Briscoe Hall will be sentenced by Judge Viviano on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at 8:30 a.m.
On Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, Warren police were dispatched to a home following a report of a shooting and discovered 63-year-old Roger Willie, Briscoe Hall’s partner, lying unresponsive on the floor and bleeding from apparent gunshot wounds. Officers rendered life-saving aid until Warren firefighters arrived and transported Willie to Henry Ford Macomb Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Michigan
South Lyon woman sentenced for embezzling from vulnerable adult
On Thursday, Tracie Green aka Tracie Wiacek aka Tracie Rashid, 65, of South Lyon, was sentenced to a 24-month term of probation after pleading no contest to one count of Embezzlement From a Vulnerable Adult $20,000 Or More But Less Than $50,000, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Green has also made a $150,000 restitution payment, which will be distributed to the victim’s family. Green is prohibited from providing care for adults 62 or over (with the exception of caring for a specified family member), or for disabled adults, or from working in a position where she has direct control over or access to another person’s money.
“Helping care for a vulnerable adult is a compassionate act, but it is not a license to turn their life savings into a personal treasure chest,” said Nessel at the time of the plea. “I commend the work my office has done to return stolen assets to the victim’s family. We remain committed to holding those accountable who abuse their positions of trust and exploit Michiganders.”
Green, who was a family friend of the victim, offered to help care for the victim after he began to experience cognitive decline in 2018. Green then made changes to the victim’s bank accounts that gave her the ability to withdraw money from his accounts, and she embezzled more than $20,000 of his money after his death. Green was charged by the Department of Attorney General in December 2024.
Michigan
Jury convicts New Haven man in $109,000 elder fraud scheme
A Macomb County jury convicted Arthur Jean Jeans, Jr., 53 of New Haven, Mich., of False Pretenses - $100,000 or More after finding that he defrauded a 70-year-old Macomb County woman out of $109,000 through an elaborate scam, according to Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido.
Jeans’ 2-day jury trial began on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, before the Honorable Michael E. Servitto, of the Macomb County Circuit Court. The evidence showed that over a 14-day period, the defendant manipulated and coerced the victim into purchasing ten cashier’s checks totaling $109,000 from several Comerica Bank branches in Sterling Heights.
On Wednesday, July 15, 2026, after deliberating 40 minutes, the jury returned its verdict of guilty as charged on the following count: False Pretenses - $100,000 or more, a 20-year felony.
Jeans will be sentenced by Judge Servitto on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 8:30 a.m.
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Daniel DeBruin prosecuted the case on behalf of The People.
“This defendant deliberately targeted and manipulated a senior citizen, stealing more than $100,000 through deception,” Lucido said. “Financial predators often rely on fear, trust, and manipulation rather than force. My office will continue aggressively prosecuting those who exploit our seniors.”
Before the trial, the victim shared with APA DeBruin that she had previously attended one of Prosecutor Lucido’s S.C.A.M.S. (Stopping Crimes Against Macomb Seniors) presentations. However, she said she never imagined she could become the victim of an in-person scam.
“Even informed, intelligent people can become victims when a scammer is standing in front of them, building trust, creating urgency, and manipulating emotions,” stated Prosecutor Lucido. “These criminals are professionals at deception, and that is exactly why education must continue. We want people to understand that anyone can become a target.”
Quickly approaching his 250th S.C.A.M.S. presentation, Prosecutor Lucido has traveled throughout Macomb County educating thousands of seniors, caregivers, and families about recognizing fraud before it happens.
Recent national surveys demonstrate why that education is so critical. According to an Associated Press-NORC survey, nearly six in ten Americans receive suspected scam attempts every day, and approximately three in ten have personally lost money or personal information to a scam.
While many scams begin with a telephone call, text message, email, or social media contact, this case serves as a reminder that fraud can also occur through face-to-face interactions, where criminals use psychological manipulation to gain a victim’s confidence and convince them to part with their life savings.
“Scammers don’t all look alike,” Lucido said. “Some hide behind a computer screen. Others show up in person. Regardless of how they operate, our message remains the same: slow down, verify, and never let anyone pressure you into making immediate financial decisions. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Talk to a trusted family member, your bank, or law enforcement before handing over your money.”
The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office continues to offer free S.C.A.M.S. presentations throughout the county. Residents attending these presentations receive practical fraud prevention guidance and educational materials designed to help recognize and avoid scams before becoming victims.
New York
Man charged with hate crimes after confrontation with ‘Today’ show’s Melvin at studio
NEW YORK (AP) — A 40-year-old New York man faces hate crime charges following a confrontation with “Today” show host Craig Melvin at NBC’s studio in Manhattan.
The man was arrested Thursday morning inside 30 Rockefeller Center in Midtown by an officer responding to reports of a disorderly individual inside the building, police said Friday.
NBC News says in a statement that an individual approached Melvin after entering an unauthorized area in a vestibule near Studio 1A. Melvin notified security, who held the man until police arrived, according to NBC.
No altercation occurred and no injuries were reported. NBC did not say how the man gained access to the area.
“We are reviewing the incident and our security protocols and remain committed to providing a safe and secure environment for everyone who works at and visits our studios,” the network said in a statement.
The man has been charged with burglary, menacing and criminal trespass as hate crimes, as well as harassment. It was not clear Friday if has appeared in court or if he has an attorney.
Police did not say what led to the hate crime enhancements on the charges. Police records show a court date has been scheduled for Wednesday.
Melvin, who is Black, discussed the incident on-air Friday morning.
“Unfortunately, an intruder made his way into an unauthorized area here at Studio 1A,” Melvin said. “Thankfully, he was apprehended quickly. He was placed under arrest. We are just very happy that everyone is safe.”
Melvin also posted about the incident on Instagram.
“Hey everyone. I’ve heard from so many of you over the last few hours,” he wrote on Thursday. “I’m doing just fine. Thanks for reaching out.”
Longtime “Today” show meteorologist Al Roker also took to social media to thank everyone reaching out to check on Melvin.
“We are both okay,” Roker posted on Instagram. “It’s moments like these that serve to pull us together. You all, like Craig, said ‘You come after one of us, you come after all of us.’”
Melvin and Roker are among a relatively small group of prominent Black journalists and anchors with regular, highly visible roles on national broadcast network news programs.
Tennessee
Complaint accuses doctor involved in failed execution of violating ethics
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The sister of a Tennessee death row inmate whose execution was halted because of problems inserting an IV has filed a complaint against the doctor who was involved.
The complaint filed Wednesday with the Tennessee Department of Health by Tonya Hervey says Tony Carruthers suffered excruciating pain during the May 21 attempt to administer a lethal injection and the family believes he now has partial paralysis that they attribute to a stroke.
It does not specifically say how or when they believe the stroke occurred, and Hervey declined an interview request.
During the attempted execution, the IV team established a primary line right away but then worked for more than an hour trying to insert a backup line.
Maria DeLiberato, an American Civil Liberties Union attorney representing Carruthers, witnessed the attempts and said the team tried to insert an IV in Carruthers’ arm, hand and foot before Dr. Mark Fowler attempted to insert a central line.
In the end Gov. Bill Lee called off the execution and gave Carruthers a one-year reprieve.
The complaint accuses Fowler of violating medical ethics by participating in an execution; by injecting Carruthers with the anesthetic lidocaine without first establishing that he was not allergic to it; and by continuing the search for a vein despite his “visible agony and distress.”
The complaint also says he was unqualified to place a central line because he had not done so in over a decade.
Fowler declined to comment on the complaint when reached by telephone.
Dr. Ervin Yen, a retired cardiac anesthesiologist who has witnessed many executions in Oklahoma and was not involved in the Carruthers case, said the fact that Fowler had not placed a central line in years is not necessarily disqualifying. He also said it is very unlikely that the attempts to place an IV could have resulted in a stroke.
The Tennessee Department of Correction declined to comment on the allegations. The Health Department said information on all complaints and investigations is confidential until formal charges are filed, including whether an investigation exists.
Carruthers, 58, was found guilty of the 1994 kidnapping and murder of Marcellos Anderson; Anderson’s mother, Delois Anderson; and Frederick Tucker. Authorities said Marcellos Anderson was a drug dealer and Carruthers was trying to take over the illegal trade in their Memphis neighborhood.
Carruthers has maintained his innocence. He was forced to represent himself at trial after repeatedly complaining about court-appointed attorneys and threatening to harm several of them.
Warren man convicted of second-degree murder
A Macomb County jury convicted Kayvon Briscoe Hall, 21 of Warren, of Second-Degree Murder and Felony Firearm in the shooting death of his partner, according to Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido.
Briscoe Hall’s 5-day jury trial began on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, before the Honorable Kathryn Viviano of the Macomb County Circuit Court. On Tuesday, July 14, 2026, after less than two hours of deliberation, the jury returned its verdict of guilty as charged on the following counts: Homicide – Murder – Second-Degree, a felony, punishable by life or any term of years; Weapons - Felony Firearm, a 2-year felony, consecutive to main charge.
Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys Elizabeth Abbo and Maria Panchenko prosecuted the case on behalf of The People.
Briscoe Hall will be sentenced by Judge Viviano on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at 8:30 a.m.
On Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, Warren police were dispatched to a home following a report of a shooting and discovered 63-year-old Roger Willie, Briscoe Hall’s partner, lying unresponsive on the floor and bleeding from apparent gunshot wounds. Officers rendered life-saving aid until Warren firefighters arrived and transported Willie to Henry Ford Macomb Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Michigan
South Lyon woman sentenced for embezzling from vulnerable adult
On Thursday, Tracie Green aka Tracie Wiacek aka Tracie Rashid, 65, of South Lyon, was sentenced to a 24-month term of probation after pleading no contest to one count of Embezzlement From a Vulnerable Adult $20,000 Or More But Less Than $50,000, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Green has also made a $150,000 restitution payment, which will be distributed to the victim’s family. Green is prohibited from providing care for adults 62 or over (with the exception of caring for a specified family member), or for disabled adults, or from working in a position where she has direct control over or access to another person’s money.
“Helping care for a vulnerable adult is a compassionate act, but it is not a license to turn their life savings into a personal treasure chest,” said Nessel at the time of the plea. “I commend the work my office has done to return stolen assets to the victim’s family. We remain committed to holding those accountable who abuse their positions of trust and exploit Michiganders.”
Green, who was a family friend of the victim, offered to help care for the victim after he began to experience cognitive decline in 2018. Green then made changes to the victim’s bank accounts that gave her the ability to withdraw money from his accounts, and she embezzled more than $20,000 of his money after his death. Green was charged by the Department of Attorney General in December 2024.
Michigan
Jury convicts New Haven man in $109,000 elder fraud scheme
A Macomb County jury convicted Arthur Jean Jeans, Jr., 53 of New Haven, Mich., of False Pretenses - $100,000 or More after finding that he defrauded a 70-year-old Macomb County woman out of $109,000 through an elaborate scam, according to Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido.
Jeans’ 2-day jury trial began on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, before the Honorable Michael E. Servitto, of the Macomb County Circuit Court. The evidence showed that over a 14-day period, the defendant manipulated and coerced the victim into purchasing ten cashier’s checks totaling $109,000 from several Comerica Bank branches in Sterling Heights.
On Wednesday, July 15, 2026, after deliberating 40 minutes, the jury returned its verdict of guilty as charged on the following count: False Pretenses - $100,000 or more, a 20-year felony.
Jeans will be sentenced by Judge Servitto on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 8:30 a.m.
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Daniel DeBruin prosecuted the case on behalf of The People.
“This defendant deliberately targeted and manipulated a senior citizen, stealing more than $100,000 through deception,” Lucido said. “Financial predators often rely on fear, trust, and manipulation rather than force. My office will continue aggressively prosecuting those who exploit our seniors.”
Before the trial, the victim shared with APA DeBruin that she had previously attended one of Prosecutor Lucido’s S.C.A.M.S. (Stopping Crimes Against Macomb Seniors) presentations. However, she said she never imagined she could become the victim of an in-person scam.
“Even informed, intelligent people can become victims when a scammer is standing in front of them, building trust, creating urgency, and manipulating emotions,” stated Prosecutor Lucido. “These criminals are professionals at deception, and that is exactly why education must continue. We want people to understand that anyone can become a target.”
Quickly approaching his 250th S.C.A.M.S. presentation, Prosecutor Lucido has traveled throughout Macomb County educating thousands of seniors, caregivers, and families about recognizing fraud before it happens.
Recent national surveys demonstrate why that education is so critical. According to an Associated Press-NORC survey, nearly six in ten Americans receive suspected scam attempts every day, and approximately three in ten have personally lost money or personal information to a scam.
While many scams begin with a telephone call, text message, email, or social media contact, this case serves as a reminder that fraud can also occur through face-to-face interactions, where criminals use psychological manipulation to gain a victim’s confidence and convince them to part with their life savings.
“Scammers don’t all look alike,” Lucido said. “Some hide behind a computer screen. Others show up in person. Regardless of how they operate, our message remains the same: slow down, verify, and never let anyone pressure you into making immediate financial decisions. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Talk to a trusted family member, your bank, or law enforcement before handing over your money.”
The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office continues to offer free S.C.A.M.S. presentations throughout the county. Residents attending these presentations receive practical fraud prevention guidance and educational materials designed to help recognize and avoid scams before becoming victims.
New York
Man charged with hate crimes after confrontation with ‘Today’ show’s Melvin at studio
NEW YORK (AP) — A 40-year-old New York man faces hate crime charges following a confrontation with “Today” show host Craig Melvin at NBC’s studio in Manhattan.
The man was arrested Thursday morning inside 30 Rockefeller Center in Midtown by an officer responding to reports of a disorderly individual inside the building, police said Friday.
NBC News says in a statement that an individual approached Melvin after entering an unauthorized area in a vestibule near Studio 1A. Melvin notified security, who held the man until police arrived, according to NBC.
No altercation occurred and no injuries were reported. NBC did not say how the man gained access to the area.
“We are reviewing the incident and our security protocols and remain committed to providing a safe and secure environment for everyone who works at and visits our studios,” the network said in a statement.
The man has been charged with burglary, menacing and criminal trespass as hate crimes, as well as harassment. It was not clear Friday if has appeared in court or if he has an attorney.
Police did not say what led to the hate crime enhancements on the charges. Police records show a court date has been scheduled for Wednesday.
Melvin, who is Black, discussed the incident on-air Friday morning.
“Unfortunately, an intruder made his way into an unauthorized area here at Studio 1A,” Melvin said. “Thankfully, he was apprehended quickly. He was placed under arrest. We are just very happy that everyone is safe.”
Melvin also posted about the incident on Instagram.
“Hey everyone. I’ve heard from so many of you over the last few hours,” he wrote on Thursday. “I’m doing just fine. Thanks for reaching out.”
Longtime “Today” show meteorologist Al Roker also took to social media to thank everyone reaching out to check on Melvin.
“We are both okay,” Roker posted on Instagram. “It’s moments like these that serve to pull us together. You all, like Craig, said ‘You come after one of us, you come after all of us.’”
Melvin and Roker are among a relatively small group of prominent Black journalists and anchors with regular, highly visible roles on national broadcast network news programs.
Tennessee
Complaint accuses doctor involved in failed execution of violating ethics
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The sister of a Tennessee death row inmate whose execution was halted because of problems inserting an IV has filed a complaint against the doctor who was involved.
The complaint filed Wednesday with the Tennessee Department of Health by Tonya Hervey says Tony Carruthers suffered excruciating pain during the May 21 attempt to administer a lethal injection and the family believes he now has partial paralysis that they attribute to a stroke.
It does not specifically say how or when they believe the stroke occurred, and Hervey declined an interview request.
During the attempted execution, the IV team established a primary line right away but then worked for more than an hour trying to insert a backup line.
Maria DeLiberato, an American Civil Liberties Union attorney representing Carruthers, witnessed the attempts and said the team tried to insert an IV in Carruthers’ arm, hand and foot before Dr. Mark Fowler attempted to insert a central line.
In the end Gov. Bill Lee called off the execution and gave Carruthers a one-year reprieve.
The complaint accuses Fowler of violating medical ethics by participating in an execution; by injecting Carruthers with the anesthetic lidocaine without first establishing that he was not allergic to it; and by continuing the search for a vein despite his “visible agony and distress.”
The complaint also says he was unqualified to place a central line because he had not done so in over a decade.
Fowler declined to comment on the complaint when reached by telephone.
Dr. Ervin Yen, a retired cardiac anesthesiologist who has witnessed many executions in Oklahoma and was not involved in the Carruthers case, said the fact that Fowler had not placed a central line in years is not necessarily disqualifying. He also said it is very unlikely that the attempts to place an IV could have resulted in a stroke.
The Tennessee Department of Correction declined to comment on the allegations. The Health Department said information on all complaints and investigations is confidential until formal charges are filed, including whether an investigation exists.
Carruthers, 58, was found guilty of the 1994 kidnapping and murder of Marcellos Anderson; Anderson’s mother, Delois Anderson; and Frederick Tucker. Authorities said Marcellos Anderson was a drug dealer and Carruthers was trying to take over the illegal trade in their Memphis neighborhood.
Carruthers has maintained his innocence. He was forced to represent himself at trial after repeatedly complaining about court-appointed attorneys and threatening to harm several of them.
