September 30, 2009

LANSING -Attorney General Mike Cox today announced verdicts in the Henry Ford High School shooting case.

Before the Honorable Patricia P. Fresard of the Third Circuit Court, defendant Devon Bell was convicted of second degree murder and felony firearm, and defendant William Morton was convicted of 1st degree murder, three counts of assault with intent to commit murder, and one count of felony firearm.  Morton was 15 years old at the time of the shooting.  Derryck Brantley was found not guilty of 1^st degree murder, assault with intent to commit murder, and felony firearm.

"Our children should be able to count on their schools as safe havens that are free of violence," said Cox.  "These convictions make clear that lawlessness in our schools and on our streets will not be tolerated."

The charges stemmed from a shooting that occurred on October 16, 2008, near Henry Ford High School at Pembroke and Evergreen in Detroit.  Victim Christopher Walker was shot and killed during the shooting.  He was 16 years old at the time of his death.  Morton's verdict was announced on what would have been Walker's 17th birthday, September 25th.

Fellow Henry Ford students Kijuana McCants, Leon Merriweather, and Maleek Slater were also shot during the incident, but recovered from their injuries.

The Detroit Police Department initiated the investigation into the shootings but turned it over to the Michigan State Police on October 17, 2008 after it was determined one of the suspects was the son of a Detroit Police Department Homicide Investigator.  Attorney General Cox's Office of Special Investigations then prosecuted the case.

"I am proud of the hard work by the Michigan State Police and the members of my Office of Special Investigations for bringing the perpetrators of these crimes to justice," said Cox.

The trial before Judge Fresard began August 31, 2009.  Sentencing is scheduled to take place on October 15, 2009.

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