Juvenile suspects charged with conspiracy to commit murder

EASTPOINTE — Two teens allegedly hatched a plot to kill one’s mother in Eastpointe, reportedly so they could have more freedom to be together.

The two suspects are juveniles and are not being publicly identified. One is a male, 17, and the other is a female, 14. Police said that the two met on a social media app and developed a relationship.

The incident occurred at around 4 a.m. July 14 at a residence in the area of Stephens and Kelly roads. Police were dispatched on reports of a home invasion and attempted homicide. Officers obtained descriptions of the suspects and searched the area but found nothing.

The target of the attack was the female suspect’s mother. The victim, 34, reportedly told police that she had been sleeping in her bedroom when an unknown man awoke her.

The suspect allegedly grabbed a body pillow from the bed and pinned it against her face, and then jumped on top of her and began strangling her with his hands to the point that she couldn’t breathe. The victim reportedly told police that she might have lost consciousness at one point.

The mother called out for help, and her own mother, 61, burst into the room. The victim’s mother reportedly began screaming at the suspect, who police said released the victim and fled the house on foot while saying that he was sorry.

In fleeing the scene, he allegedly left his shoes at the house. Police believe he had removed his shoes upon entering the building. In addition, a kitchen knife belonging to the victim was found lying in the street. Police think that the suspect took the knife from the kitchen counter at the victim’s house and dropped it while he was fleeing. However, the victim did not recall the suspect holding a knife while he was strangling her, police said.

The victim quickly suspected her daughter was involved, police said, reportedly describing the young girl as a “problem child” with a juvenile record who does not like to follow house rules and who had been upset that her phone had been taken away as punishment.

The victim was treated at a local hospital for her injuries. Meanwhile, detectives with the Eastpointe Police Department continued to investigate, executing search warrants and scouring surveillance footage from the area, as well as conducting interviews. This led police to identify the suspects.

Both face one count of conspiracy to commit homicide (first-degree murder, juvenile defendant), which is a felony punishable by up to life in prison without parole, or a minimum sentence of 25-40 years and maximum sentence of at least 60 years.

In addition, the male suspect faces one count of assault with intent to murder, while the female suspect faces one count of solicitation of murder — both felonies punishable by life in prison or any number of years.

Both were arraigned before Eastpointe 38th District Court Magistrate Mark Makoski. The male suspect was arraigned Aug. 12 with his bond set at $2.5 million, while the female suspect was arraigned Aug. 14 with her bond set at $1 million. Their next court dates were scheduled for Aug. 27, after press time.

“The magnitude of this crime and the fact that it was committed by two minors took all of us by surprise,” Eastpointe Police Lt. Alexander Holish said in an email. “The Eastpointe Police Department is glad that the victim was able to recover from her physical injuries.”

Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido issued a prepared statement.

“The alleged actions of these juveniles are not just illegal but also incredibly dangerous. This level of criminal activity is unacceptable, and we intend to treat it with the severity it deserves. That’s why we are seeking to charge these juveniles as adults — because when you commit adult crimes, you face adult consequences,” Lucido said.