Ex-Con Turned Handyman Charged In Elderly Man's Murder
BLOOMFIELD TWP. (WWJ) - A 45-year-old man with an extensive criminal past is facing a slew of charges in connection to the death of a 77-year-old man who tried to give the ex-con a second chance.
Bart Mitchell Spencer, of Wayne, was arraigned this week in 48th District Court on charges he killed William Whitelaw in the man's Bloomfield Township condo and tried to torch the scene to hide the crime. He pleaded not guilty to charges of open murder, arson, larceny of firearms, larceny in a building, and two counts of possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
Spencer, who worked as a handyman at the condo complex, was denied bond and ordered held until a pretrial hearing on Oct. 7. If convicted as charged, he faces up to life in prison.
Authorities say Spencer was doing work Sept. 4 in Whitelaw's home at the Knollwood Pointe Condos on Maple Hills Drive, near Inkster and West Maple roads, when the killing occurred. Whitelaw had been bludgeoned to death and a gas line was cut near a fireplace, which was surrounded with lit candles, police said, possibly in an attempt to start a fire to cover up the murder.
Spencer was arrested days later after selling some of Whitelaw's jewelry at a pawn shop. Officers executed search warrants at Spencer's home and found additional stolen property from Whitelaw's condo, including a handgun, two Rolex watches and a 1968 autographed Detroit Tigers baseball.
Spencer's criminal history dates back to the 80's, with multiple convictions for armed robbery and weapons charges.