Prosecutors Seek Witnesses; Wife Says Victim Didn't Deserve To Die In Road Rage Shooting
HOWELL (WWJ) - Despite having more than a dozen members of the public on their witness list, Livingston County prosecutors say they're still interested in hearing from anyone who might have witnessed Tuesday's so-called "road rage" killing near Howell.
"There may have been people that saw something that these people didn't see, or saw things that happened ahead of time," said Livingston County prosecutor Bill Vailliencourt.
"We wanna make sure that we have all of the facts," he added. "Even if people think, well they already know about that or they've got a witness that's seen that, we're looking to get a full and complete picture of what happened; and the more people who come forward, the better able we are to do that."
Martin Zale, 69. of Marion Township, was arraigned Thursday on open murder and felony firearm charges in the shooting death of 43-year-old Derek Flemming.
Witnesses say Fleming got out of his car at a traffic light to confront Zale about his aggressive driving when he was shot point-blank in the face.
Zale, who is being held without bond, is due back in court Tuesday morning.
Family and friends have set up a "Go Fund Me" page for the family to cover funeral costs and to help fund the Flemmings children's college education. The family did not have any life insurance on Derek and Amy Flemming was a stay-at-home mom.
As of Friday, more than $10,000 had been raised.
Anyone would like to donate can do so online at gofundme.com/dzt828, or they can send a check made out to the "Derek Flemming Family Memorial Fund" at PO Box 1107, Brighton, Michigan, 48116.
Meantime, Flemming's wife, Amy Flemming, issued a statement saying her "heart is broken" over her husband's death. She says they celebrated her daughter's 6th birthday, while planning her husband's funeral.
"...Derek was an incredible husband and an even better father. He loved his family so much. He would send me text messages almost on a daily basis telling me how much he loved me. He told our kids every day that they were his best friends.
"I believe he was only trying to protect me that day when he got out of the car to ask Mr. Zale what his problem was and to not put other drivers in danger. I wish I could go back. I would have kept him in the car.
"Regardless, Derek didn't deserve to die like that."
[Read Amy Flemming's complete statement, and a message from the family's attorney, HERE].