Trenton

By JAMES MITCHELL Sunday Times Newspapers TRENTON — Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Edward Ewell Jr. scheduled a May trial to hear charges against a man accused of sexually assaulting a teen girl in a Fort Street convenience store. Rakeshkumar Patel, 48, is accused of two counts of criminal sexual conduct with a juvenile between the ages of 13 and 15, punishable by up to 15 years in prison. A final conference is scheduled for March 30, and jury selection is to begin May 9. Patel is also charged with furnishing alcohol to a … [Read more...] about May 9 set for convenience store rape trial

By JAMES MITCHELL Sunday Times Newspapers TRENTON — A preliminary examination of evidence will continue Thursday to review allegations that a Trenton man raped a girl under 13 years old. Casey Branden Griffor, 30, was charged last month with three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, each punishable by 25 year in prison, and one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, a 15-year felony. Testimony heard Friday before 33rd District Court Judge Michael McNally included the girl’s account of having been … [Read more...] about Hearing to continue in rape case

By JAMES MITCHELL Sunday Times Newspapers TRENTON — A man accused of sexually assaulting a teen girl in a Fort Street convenience store will go to trial before Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Edward Ewell. During a disposition conference Tuesday, Rakeshkumar Patel declined a final opportunity to enter a plea, and a jury will hear charges against the 48-year-old businessman, including two counts of criminal sexual conduct with a juvenile between the ages of 13 and 15. Ewell was chosen during a blind draw of available … [Read more...] about Trial pending for convenience store rape

By JAMES MITCHELL Sunday Times Newspapers TRENTON — The best hope for a grieving family was summed up on national television: “This is the end of it,” Rob Edward said of his family’s long-running feud with Jennifer Petkov. The longrunning story of Detroit Street — in which a little girl and her mother faced a losing battle with Huntington’s disease and were taunted by a neighbor — may have finally ended Monday when Edward, his family and Jennifer Petkov and her husband appeared on the “Dr. Phil” show. Phil McGraw served as … [Read more...] about Family seeks closure with feuding neighbor on ‘Dr. Phil’ show

By JAMES MITCHELL Sunday Times Newspapers TRENTON — A preliminary examination of charges facing a Trenton man accused of raping a girl under 13 years old was adjourned until Thursday by 33rd District Court Judge Michael McNally. While allowing the request for more time to prepare as made by the defense attorney last week, McNally also reminded the defendant, 30-year-old Casey Branden Griffor, not to have any contact with the girl or her relatives. Reportedly, McNally was told that Griffor — who remained in custody at the Wayne … [Read more...] about Exam delayed for rape suspect

By JAMES MITCHELL Sunday Times Newspapers TRENTON — The city honored its best and brightest, bravest and finest Saturday, Jan. 21 at the 42nd annual City Awards Banquet, hosted by the Trenton Civic Commission. The dinner event at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 4574 W. Jefferson Ave., paid tribute to citizens and businesses for leadership and achievements made in the past year. A host of awards are given to Trentonites young and old, police and fire professionals and business neighbors. Saluting the city’s first responders, … [Read more...] about Best and brightest recognized with awards

By JAMES MITCHELL Sunday Times Newspapers TRENTON — Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Margie R. Braxton will hold a disposition conference Tuesday, Feb. 7 to consider charges against a 48-year-old businessman accused of sexually assaulting a teen girl. Rakeshkumar Patel was arraigned Jan. 19 on two counts of criminal sexual conduct with a juvenile between the ages of 13 and 15, and entered a plea of innocent to the 15-year felony. Patel was also charged with one count of criminal sexual conduct of force or coercion, and one … [Read more...] about Conference set for convenience store rape trial

By JAMES MITCHELL Sunday Times Newspapers TRENTON — A city worker charged this month — along with a Flat Rock police officer — with operating an illegal sports betting ring while on duty will have a Garrity hearing Feb. 1 before further employment decisions are made. Trenton Department of Public Works employee Kevin Sargent, 35, and Flat Rock Police Sergeant Charles Sanders Jr., 46, were arraigned Jan. 11 in 33rd District Court on racketeering charges following a year-long investigation of illegal gambling conducted by … [Read more...] about Hearing set for DPW worker charged in gambling ring

By JAMES MITCHELL Sunday Times Newspapers TRENTON — A 31-year-old man was charged last week with four counts of criminal sexual conduct for allegedly raping an underage Trenton girl several times over a period of nine months. Trenton Police Chief James Nardone said that Casey Brandon Griffor turned himself over to police officers Jan. 15, and was arraigned Wednesday in 33rd District Court. Nardone said that police were informed of the alleged crimes on Jan. 14, and that Griffor was in custody Sunday. Griffor was … [Read more...] about Trenton man charged with rape