FeedsEx-boyfriend charged in strangulation
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Robert James HowardA Dearborn Heights man was charged with murder on Friday in connection with the death of his ex-girlfriend in Westland.
Robert James Howard, 25, went before Judge Sandra Ference Cicirelli of the 18th District Court in Westland on Friday afternoon for arraignment on the charge of first-degree murder. The charge came two days after 22-year-old Laci Green was found dead near her Westland home.
According to Lt. Dan Karrick of the Westland Police Department, officers with the department were summoned to the 1900 block of Dunn Court in the Millpoint subdivision early Wednesday morning by Green’s parents, who were concerned when their daughter had not returned from a walk.
“We responded about 4:48 a.m. on a report of a missing girl,” he said.
According to Karrick, Green’s parents told police that Howard had come over and there was an argument about the break-up between the pair after which Green had gone for a walk and didn’t come home. The parents told police that they searched for their daughter for a couple of hours prior to contacting police and enlisted the aid of Howard, who was at the house, to help in the search.
During the ensuing search, police discovered Green’s body in a common area near the intersection of Hawley and Glenwood roads. Although the department is currently awaiting the final report from the medical examiner’s office, Karrick said that the initial findings indicated that she had been strangled.
Officers also went looking for Howard.
“We ended up finding him in the subdivision,” said Karrick.
Howard indicated in court that he had formerly lived with Green and that he moved in with his mother about a month ago. He also told the judge that is is currently unemployed and living on money he saved when he was working. Cicirelli approved Howard’s request for a court-appointed attorney, but flatly refused to set a bond in the case.
“My fear is not only that he would flee, but (also) to protect the public,” she said.
Sgt. Steve Borisch of the Westland Police Department said in court that Howard had indicated that “he planned to move to North Carolina” in the near future to find work.
The next step in the legal process will take place on May 22 when Howard will return to the 18th District Court for preliminary hearing. At the preliminary hearing, the prosecution must convince a judge that there is sufficient evidence a crime was committed and that the person accused committed that crime to warrant a trial.
If that occurs, the case would then move on to Wayne County Circuit Court for trial. If tried and convicted of first-degree murder, Howard could face up to life in prison.
