MI- Westland teen to testify against friend in 'thrill killing'

4-2-2008 Michigan:

CANTON TOWNSHIP -- One of two teens accused of beheading and burning a man in what Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy described as a "thrill killing" has received a plea deal to testify against the other when trial starts next week.

Alexander Letkemann, 18, of Westland, can escape the possibility of life in prison without parole in exchange for testifying against Jean Pierre Orlewicz, 18, of Plymouth Township, according to court documents.

Letkemann pleaded guilty Tuesday to second-degree murder, disinterment and mutilation of a corpse for the Nov. 7, 2007, slaying of Daniel Sorensen, 26, of River Rouge.

In exchange, prosecutors recommended a sentence of 20-30 years and dismissal of first-degree and felony murder charges when Letkemann is sentenced on April 23, court papers show.

Orlewicz is scheduled to stand trial Monday in Wayne County Circuit Court, facing the tougher charge alone. The trial is expected to last up to two weeks.

Much of the case is based on Letkemann's confession to police.

He told investigators Orlewicz planned and executed the killing in his grandfather's Canton Township garage. Orlewicz lured Sorensen into a death trap, stabbed the large man, slit his throat, sawed off his head and burned his fingers with a blowtorch to obliterate fingerprints, according to Letkemann.

He claims he was there only to help clean up and dump the headless torso in an empty lot in Northville Township near Maybury State Park in exchange for forgiveness of a $100 debt. Letkemann also led police to a spot in Hines Park in Dearborn Heights where he said Orlewicz tossed the head into the Rouge River.

Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor Maria Miller said she couldn't comment today on any deals, citing a gag order from Wayne County Circuit Judge Annette Jurkiewicz Berry.

Letkemann's lawyer Raymond Cassar was unavailable, according to his office.

Orlewicz lawyers have complained it will be difficult to select an impartial jury considering the nationwide coverage the crime received.

The judge issued two orders on Monday that narrowed defense options for Orlewicz's lawyers, barring their plans to introduce testimony about their client's alleged psychological disorders and evidence about the criminal past of Sorensen.

Orlewicz's lawyers indicated they may claim Orlewicz acted in self-defense. ..more.. by Doug Guthrie / The Detroit News