Medical Examiner: Murdered Troy Man Struck Multiple Times
TROY (WWJ) - Oakland County's chief medical examiner says a 55-year-old Troy man found dead in a cornfield was struck in the head at least four times with an "oblong blunt object" like a pipe or baseball bat.
The prosecution has rested in a preliminary exam for 22-year-old Patrick Mikes Jr. of Troy who's accused of killing his father and dumping his body in a Genesee County.
Dr. L.J. Dragovic testified Monday that he examined evidence collected from Patrick Mikes Sr.'s home, including clothes "saturated with blood."
Also taking the stand was the defendant's 16-year-old brother, Andrew, who testified that he believed his father went missing while on a bike ride and that he and his brother talked about it and decided to wait 24 hours before reporting him missing in late July.
The teen was asked by a prosecuting attorney if he kept his baseball bat in the basement and he said no. A prosecutor said the bat was found in the basement in some cushions.
Police said 55-year-old Patrick Mikes Sr. was killed in the basement of their Troy home, but the younger Mikes said he had not gone into the basement after his father went missing.
Andrew Mikes said his father and brother often argued about money and would not describe their relationship as loving. He said they had recently argued about a credit card of Andrew's that Patrick had used on a trip, but that he had not seen any physical fight between the two.
When asked by a defense attorney if his old brother ever indicated if he heard voices, Andrew replied that he had once, years ago. He also testified that he didn't know if his brother was depressed or under a psychologist's care.
Mikes Sr. was reported missing by his sons on July 29, two days after they said their father went for a bike ride and never returned.
Investigators no longer believe that story, saying a DNA evidence shows Mikes was killed during an altercation in the basement of his home.
Troy Police officer Josh Jones testified that the thought there was something odd about both sons' demeanor when he was called to their home that day. He said neither young man would make eye contact and there was a strong odor of blood in the house.
The elder Mikes' body was found in a field on Aug. 10.
Mikes Jr. faces up to life in prison if tried and convicted. He pleaded not guilty and remains jailed.
