Taylor Brothers Charged In Death, Mutilation Of River Rouge Man
DETROIT (WWJ) - Two brothers from Taylor have been ordered held without bond in the murder of a 38-year-old River Rouge man.
Michael Lee Stratford's body was recovered last weekend behind a Tim Horton's restaurant at I-94 and Michigan Ave. in Ypsilanti.
The Wayne County Prosecutor's office has charged 35-year-old Wesley Brown with open murder as well as disinterment and mutilation of a dead body. His brother, 41-year-old Adam Brown, has been charged with disinterment and mutilation of a dead body and accessory after the fact.
According to investigators, Stratford was shot after a fight at the Brown's home on Brian Street in Taylor.
Last weekend — days after Stratford's disappearance on May 7 — police say Adam Brown walked into Taylor Police Headquarters and tearfully confessed.
Members of Stratford's family were at 23nd District Court in Taylor as the suspects were arraigned via video Wednesday.
"God have mercy on their souls because I won't," the victim's mother, Carrie Bommarito, told WWJ's Jon Hewett and other reporters, calling the shooting senseless and stupid.
"Mike was a wonderful father; he wasn't no street thug, you know? He has a 3-and-a-half year-old and that was his whole life — that and his motorcycle — but his daughter came first, and his work," she said.
"This 3-year-old girl is at home wondering why Daddy isn't there anymore, and I'm depending on these people to do their job to make sure justice is brought to these animals that did this to my son."
If convicted, Wesley Brown, who is alleged to have shot Stratford, faces life in prison. His older brother could serve 15 years behind bars.
Both were remanded to the Wayne County Jail.
Prosecutors say facts and evidence in the case will be presented at the preliminary exam set for early June.
