Westland Man Guilty In Murder Of Taylor Cop
DETROIT (WWJ) - Tyress Mathews of Westland has been found guilty of first degree pre-meditated murder in the July 2010 death of a Taylor Police officer.
Corporal Matthew Edwards, along with his partner, was responding to a domestic disturbance call at a town home complex in when he was fatally shot.
Prosecutors said the 37-year-old Mathews killed Edwards in a premeditated act, firing several shots, including one execution style.
As a Wayne County Circuit Court jury read the verdict, family members, friends and co-workers let out a loud outcry. Later, Corporal Edwards' father, David, spoke with reporters.
"Obviously we're satisfied with the verdict that the jury returned," said Edwards. "I believe they deliberated carefully and the charges that they found the defendant guily on were appropriate as to what happend to our son."
Sentencing was set for Nov. 28. Mathews' attorney said he will appeal.
Assistant Wayne County Prosecutor Robert Stevens told WWJ that, even though most of the court room was made up of Taylor Police officers in uniform, the prosecution did not have an unfair advantage.
"It's a free courtoom and officers who wish to attend, whethere they're off duty or on duty, are entitled to do so just like any member of the public," said Stevens. "And, with regards to appeals, without a conviction there are no appeals. So, that's the first step -- is to get the conviction."
"That's what we did here, and we did it safely, and I think the record I think is clear," he said.
Edwards, 31, was the first person with Taylor Police to be killed in the line of duty. He had been with the department for five years. He is survived by his wife and two children.
