MI- Teen convicted in beheading gets hearing for new trial

2-11-2009 Michigan:

Plymouth Township teen convicted last year of luring a friend into a death trap where he stabbed, beheaded and burned the victim, will get a hearing later this month on his request for a new trial.

Jean Pierre Orlewicz, 18, claims mistakes were made by his lawyers and the judge who presided over the original trial where a jury found him guilty of premeditated murder and mutilation for the slaying of Daniel Sorenson, 26, of River Rouge.

It was a case that drew nationwide attention when Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy called the slaying a "thrill killing."

Orlewicz's new lawyer already has gotten the original judge, Wayne County Circuit Judge Annette Berry, disqualified from hearing the appeal. Judge Bruce U. Morrow has set a Feb. 27 hearing on numerous complaints about the previous trial and sentencing to two life terms without parole for the single death.

At sentencing last May, Berry told Orlewicz, "I have to say I am grateful the jury convicted you, sir... I am grateful that you are going away for the rest of your life because in my view I believe you would have killed again."

In documents filed with the court, Orlewizc's new lawyer, Elizabeth Jacobs claims Berry also improperly prevented the defense from presenting three expert witnesses who were expected to testify about Orlewicz's mental condition and prior psychiatric treatment. Jacobs also claims Orlewicz received inadequate counsel from his previous legal team headed by James Thomas, who later defended former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.

Orlewicz testified at the trial that he killed Sorenson in self-defense. Another teen testified that Orlewicz asked him to help prepare a garage in Livonia for the killing, and then helped dump Sorenson's torso in Northville Township and his head in the Rouge River. Alexander Letkemann, 19, pleaded guilty to second degree murder and is serving 20 to 30 years in prison. ..News Source.. by Doug Guthrie / The Detroit News