Judge strikes down attempts to quash evidence in beheading case
2-23-2008 Michigan:
Judge lets prosecutor call slaying a 'thrill killing,' but says evidence must back it up.
DETROIT -- Lawyers and cops already are barred from speaking publicly about the grisly case of two suburban teen pals accused of beheading a bouncer for fun, but efforts failed Friday to tighten the gag by prohibiting prosecutors from referring to the slaying as a "thrill killing."
Defense attorneys for Jean Pierre Orlewicz, 17, of Plymouth Township, attempted to defuse the already emotional case by having such inflammatory language barred in the trial, but Wayne County Circuit Judge Annette Berry ruled that prosecutors and defense attorneys can use whatever language is appropriate to make their cases. She warned both sides to be ready to back up their claims with evidence or risk losing jurors.
"Are you going to base it on that emotion or on evidence?" she asked. "You can argue what you want to argue as long as you back it up."
Orlewicz and Alexander Letkemann, 18, of Westland are charged in the Nov. 7 stabbing, burning and beheading of Daniel Sorenson, 26, of River Rouge, whose torso was found in Northville Township and head in the Rouge River.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy labeled the case a "thrill kill" when announcing charges against the two. Despite objections from defense attorneys, prosecutors have offered no motive to the contrary thus far. In fact, Letkemann's confession to police alleged he still doesn't know why Orlewicz wanted Sorenson dead.
It's been a tough seven days for both jailed teens. Last week, attorneys for Letkemann failed to persuade Berry to bar his statements to police that accused Orlewicz of masterminding the ambush in his grandfather's Canton Township garage. The confession, made over a few days to police, painted Letkemann as a reluctant witness and accomplice who cleaned up after the killing and helped dump the body to satisfy a $100 debt.
Friday, Berry denied a host of motions from defense attorneys, including ones asking her to exclude evidence found in the search of the grandfather's house. Berry did say that Sorenson will be referred to as an alleged victim during court proceedings.
Defense attorney Joseph Niskar told Berry a store clerk who identified Orlewicz as the person who bought some of the items prosecutors allege were used in the cleanup after the slaying was unreliable.
"She said he looked like, looked closest and was familiar looking to the person she saw," Niskar said.
"We don't believe the identification is reliable." ..more.. by Santiago Esparza at (313) 222-2127.
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