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South Lyon, MI 48178

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NewspapersINDEXBusiness......................B7Crossword Puzzle .......B10Education ...................A5Homes........................B10

Jobs............................B11Obituaries...................A10Opinion ......................A12Public Safety...............A6

Services ......................B10Sports.........................B1Wheels .......................B12

Volume 141Number 50

PRICE: $1 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012 • hometownlife.com

STOREINSERTSYOUR BLACKFRIDAY

PLANNINGSTARTS HERE

Happy Thanksgiving HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

FIND COPY INSIDE

ALL-AREABOYS HARRIERS

SPORTS, B1

Santa lettersDear Kids: Please

don’t forget Santa. Hewants to hear from youin time for the holidays.He’s expecting so manyletters that he hasasked theMilford Timesto help. Please sendyour letter and a photoof yourself to the editorat [email protected]. The Timeswillpublish letters and pho-tos before the holidays.That means we needto receive your letterby noon Wednesday,Dec. 12.

Fill a truckHelp raise provisions

for Community Sharingduring the fifth annualFill a Truck, Feed a Fam-ily food drive.The Milford High

School Marching Band,Sellers Buick GMC, CarlsFamily YMCA and Ro-tary Club of Milford arepushing to put food onthe shelves for the localfood pantry.Non-perishable food

for people or pets canbe dropped off at theparade this Saturday.Volunteers will be col-lecting donations byThe Burger Joint.They will be back

downtown Dec. 29 forthe downtown openhouse on Main Street.Donations can alsobe dropped off at theYMCA until everythingis delivered Dec. 8.Groups can arrange

donation pickups bycontacting Sharon Peter-son at (248) 505-7954.

Ring bellsThe Salvation Army

of Metro Detroit isseeking volunteer bellringers for the 2012Red Kettle Campaign.Those interested in

volunteering can log onto www.ringbell.org,pick a preferred locationand choose a shift dateand time (through Dec.24). Volunteers can signup for one or moreshifts, and will receive aconfirmation email priorto the selected date.

By Aileen WingbladStaff Writer

“An angry, angry killing.”That’s how Oakland County Assis-

tant Prosecutor John Skrzynskidescribed to jurors the violent deathof Highland resident Ruth Pyne inhis opening statement Nov. 16 in the

OaklandCounty Cir-cuit court-room ofJudge LeoBowman.Jeffrey

Pyne, RuthPyne’s 22-year-old son,is chargedwith first-degree, pre-meditatedmurder fortheMay 27,2011, kill-ing.Ruth Pyne,

who had ahistory ofbipolar dis-order andepisodes of

paranoid behavior and violence dur-ing times when she refused to takemedication to keep her illness undercontrol, died from repeated blowsto the head andmultiple stabbings.Her lifeless body was found shortlyafter 2:30 p.m. by her then-10-year-old daughter and husband Bernie, ina pool of blood in the garage of thePyne home on Burwood Court.Skrzynski said Jeffrey Pyne was

driven to kill after enduring “yearsand years of living with his mentallyill mother.“A jury of 11 women and fourmen

—which includes three alternates—will decide the fate of Jeffrey Pyne,a former University ofMichiganstudent and high school valedictori-an who friends and family say is qui-et and good-natured.Defense attorney Jim Champion

maintains the case against Pyne is

Murder trialunder wayHighland man

accused of killing hismother in May 2011

HAL GOULDSTAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Jeffrey Pyne, 22, pic-tured here in OaklandCounty Circuit Court,could face life in prisonif convicted for the 2011murder of his mother,Ruth Pyne.

Gather up the family and getin the holiday spirit as the HuronValley Chamber of Commercepresents the annual ChristmasParade this Saturday in down-townMilford.Good little boys and girls can

watch as the parademakes itsway downMain Street startingat 10 a.m. The parade begins atthe intersection ofMain Streetand Commerce andmarches

south to Huron Street.A longtimeHuron Valley tra-

dition, the parade features localbusinesses and community orga-nizations, marching bands, floatsandmore. So whether you’relooking to tap your feet as trum-pets, saxophones and tubas playJingle Bells or get in the swingas one ofMilford’s dance compa-nies taps its way through town,the parade should have a little

fun for everyone.Andmake sure you don’t try to

sneak out early, because some-one is keeping a list. And he’ll bein the Huron Valley this week-end, rounding out the floats inthe parade.This year’s parade is sponsored

by Americus Coney &Grill andTavern 131. LaFontaine Automo-tive Group is donating the floatfor Santa Claus and cars for the

chamber’s community awardwinners to ride.Organizers of theMilford-High-

landRelay for Life are looking atSaturday’s parade as a kickoff tonext year’s event, slated forMay4-5. Following the parade,mem-bers of that float will be at Star-bucks to answer questions andregister Relay teams.Formore information on the

parade, visit www.huronvcc.com.

Annual Christmas parade this Saturday

HAL GOULD | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Linda Dagenhardt’s commitment to Oak Grove Cemetery, Milford’s history and just about everything elsein the community drew the attention of others. She was selected Huron Valley’s Citizen of the Year.


Linda Dagenhardt is a self-described “woman without aplan.”Yet most days, shemanages

to get plenty done anyway.“If someone calls onme and

needs something done, I canalways squeeze in an hour or

two here or there,” she said,shrugging. “I just go day today. I see something thatneeds to be taken care of, andI take care of it — that’s justhow I live my life.”No big deal, she says.Quite the contrary, others

say.Somuch so, in fact, that

Dagenhardt has been named

the Huron Valley Chamber ofCommerce 2012 Citizen of theYear. She was notified recent-ly by phone of the honor— oneshe never expected.“I just said, ‘Wow.’ I was real-

ly surprised, and it’s reallynice. Then I got to wonderingwho did all that creative writ-

Milford woman focuseson history, communityLinda Dagenhardt is Citizen of the Year

By Kate PhillipsCorrespondent

While Thanksgiving istypically a time of reflec-tion and gratitude, oneHighland family is feel-ing especially thankful thisNovember.It started back in August.

Eleven-year-oldMichaelStevenson woke up with asplitting headache. When hestarted bumping into things

and throwing up, his par-ents, Jesse and Darcy Ste-venson, took him to theemergency room.The ER doctor was sur-

prised when a cat scanrevealed a fluid builduparoundMichael’s brain. Itwas a bit extreme, but thedoctor had a hunch that anextensiveMRI was needed.“I believe that hunch was

Family gives thanks after brain tumor removedMichaelSteven-

son, 11, ofHighlandis thank-

ful that hewas givena secondchance atlife aftera brain

tumor wassuccessfullyremoved. KATE PHILLIPS Please see THANKS, A2

Please see CITIZEN, A10

Please see TRIAL, A13

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circumstantial, the arrestwas a “rush to judgment”and that “no one knowswho killed Ruth Pyne.”As he builds his case,

Skrzynski is challengingPyne’s explanation thathis blister-like hand inju-ries noted on the day ofthemurder resulted fromtossing a wooden palletwhile on the job at SpicerOrchards.

First witnessesCo-workerNickBret-

ti, the firstwitness calledby the prosecution, testi-fied that he tried to repli-cate the injuries on him-self, butwas unable to.SpicerOrchards farmerWill Cartwright told thecourt that he believed theinjuriesweremore con-sistentwith rope burns orswinging a bat repeated-lywithoutwearing battinggloves, but he didn’t give itmuch thought at the time.Cartwright also testi-

fied Pyne “never saidanything bad about (hismother), just that she wasill and wouldn’t take hermedication.”Bretti and Cartwright

both said Pyne appearedupset when he showedup at work the day of thekilling, about an hourbefore his father calledhim home after Ruth’sbody was discovered.“I hoped Jeff didn’t

do something terribleat home,” Cartwrightsaid. “We all had that(thought).”

‘Looked like a show’Bretti and Cartwright

also testified they hadseen Pyne cry at times—over a breakup with hisgirlfriend and problemsat work—while para-medic AmyMcIntosh,who answered the emer-gency call at the Pynehome, said he fell to theground andmade cryingsounds, but shed no tears,after hearing of his moth-

er’s death.“I noticed there was

no tears. It didn’t appearhe was actually crying,”McIntosh said. “I justthought it was an oddreaction.”Oncross-examination,

ChampioncounteredMcIn-tosh’s assessment. “That’snot to say thereweren’t any(tears),” he said. “You justdidn’t seeany.”RepliedMcIntosh, “I

didn’t see any.”Paramedic Gary Bon-

ham, who took the standNov. 19, said Pyne’s reac-tion at the scene “kind oflooked like a show tome.Like an act. It didn’t lookgenuine.”Oakland County Sher-

iff’s Deputy Ron Chat-terson, who also testifiedNov. 19, said Pyne showedsome emotion when hearrived home and walkedtoward the ambulancewhere his father and sis-ter were waiting, but hequestioned the authen-ticity of his reaction lat-er at the Highland sub-station, where the familyhad been taken to speakwith detectives. Chatter-

son said at one point Pynewas observed alone in theroomwhen he looked intothe room’s two-way glassand said, “Why is thishappening?” in a voicethat had “no emotion.”“Tome, it sounded like

it was said for effect,”Chatterson said.Chatterson also said he

heardPyne tell his fatherthat he had been at homeat 1:30 p.m. and that hismother had been fine then.

Back MondaySo far, jurors have also

heard testimony fromOakland County Sher-iff’s DeputyMichael Saile— the first deputy on thescene— and the frantic 9-

1-1 call fromBernie Pyne.Also taking the standwasneighborDavidGilbert,who recounted rushing toBernie Pyne’s aidwhen heheardBernie’s screams ashe foundRuth’s body, andthen looking inside thegaragewhenBernie Pyneasked him to. Gilbert alsotestified that he contact-ed the Oakland CountySheriff’s office days lat-er to report that his wifehad seen a stranger in thePyne’s back yard aboutaweek before the kill-ing. Jose Campos, Ber-nie Pyne’s work supervi-sor at theGeneralMotorsProvingGround, also tes-tified that Bernie spoke ofhis wife’smental illnesson occasion and the issuesthat would arise when shewasn’t taking hermedi-cation.“(Bernie) said she

thought God was going tohelp her,” Campos said.Campos added that Ber-

nie Pyne “fought awfulhard to keep his familytogether,” but eventual-ly began to realize it wasa fight he likely wouldn’twin.As graphic crime scene

photos were introducedin court, some Pyne fam-ily members cried silent-ly, while others divert-ed their gaze. JeffreyPyne did not look at thegruesome images as theywere displayed.Outside the courtroom,

Bernie Pyne—who sup-ports his son’s claim ofinnocence— said he was“taking it one day at atime.”The trial resumesMon-

daymorning.

(MT)LOCAL NEWSonline at hometownlife.com A13Hometown Weeklies | Thursday, November 22, 2012

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER

@hometownlife

TRIALContinued from page A1

PHOTOS BY HAL GOULD | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Oakland County Circuit Judge Leo Bowman instructs a wit-ness during testimony during the murder trial of JeffreyPyne of Highland, charged with killing his mother.

Assistant Prosecutor JohnSkrzynski is building a casethat depicts Jeffrey Pyne asman driven to murder byhis mother’s mental illness.

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NewspapersINDEXBusiness......................A6Crossword Puzzle .......B8Education ...................A4Homes........................B8



Volume 141Number 51

PRICE: $1 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012 • hometownlife.com

Open houseThe holiday season

continues when SantaClaus comes to down-town Milford tonightduring the ChristmasOpen House. Enjoy thewinter wonderlandwith strolling enter-tainment, special pro-motions at a variety ofshops and restaurants,horse-drawn carriagerides, holiday carolingand, of course, a visitwith Santa. The eve-ning runs 5:45-9 p.m.

Santa lettersDear Kids: Please

don’t forget Santa. Hewants to hear from youin time for the holidays.He’s expecting somanyletters that he has askedtheMilford Times tohelp. Please send yourletter and a photo ofyourself to the editor [email protected]. The Timeswill pub-lish letters and photosbefore the holidays. Thatmeanswe need to re-ceive your letter by noon,Wednesday, Dec. 12.

AuditionsDetroit CBS affiliate

WWJ-TV (Channel 62) ishosting anopen castingcall for teams of twopeople (21 years old andolder) to compete on TheAmazing Race. The eventis scheduled for 4-7 p.m.Friday atWalsh College,3838 Livernois, in Troy.Each teamneeds to bringsigned video releaseforms and valid photoIDs.Members should beready to explainwhythey should be consid-ered for the series and its$1million grandprize.For more, contact

Melissa Rowe at (248)355-7045 or go towww.cbsdetroit.com.

Fill a truckHelp raise provisions

for Community Sharingduring the fifth annualFill a Truck, Feed a Fam-ily food drive.The Milford High

School Marching Band,Sellers Buick GMC, CarlsFamily YMCA and Ro-tary Club of Milford arepushing to put food onthe shelves for the localfood pantry.Non-perishable food

for people or pets canbe dropped off down-town tonight during theopen house onMainStreet. Donations canalso be dropped off atthe YMCA until every-thing is delivered Dec. 8.Groups can arrange

donation pickups bycontacting Sharon Peter-son at (248) 505-7954.

By Philip AllmenStaff Writer

School officials set a Tuesdaydeadline for proposals to razeHighlandMiddle and Baker Ele-mentary schools.Unless the local governments

are willing to purchase thevacant buildings by then, theHuron Valley Schools board willlevel the facilities and sell theproperty to the highest bidder.

Originally, Highland andMil-ford village officials had untilthe end ofMarch to decidewhether or not they wanted tobuy the sites. That time line wasadvanced in response to pro-posed legislation that, if passed,would require school districtsto maintain those empty build-ings and add them to a statewideregistry, among other things. Ifanother educational entity, likea charter school, wanted to buy

or lease the site, the local schooldistrict would be compelled todo so.“We have been going down this

path before,” school board Pres-ident Sean Carlson said. “Withthe legislation, there’s a sense ofurgency. This is an infringementof local control from Lansing.”

New school districtThe legislation would formally

establish the Education Achieve-

ment Authority. The EAA is astate reform school district forschools that are in the bottom 5percent academically inMichi-gan that opened this school yearwith 15 Detroit schools, withplans to expand statewide forthe 2013-14 school year. The dis-trict is using a unique approachto learning, eliminating lettergrades and grade levels in favor

Township expresses interestin Highland Middle School


A capital improvements com-mittee charged with making rec-ommendations for Village ofMil-ford road repairs will hold itsfirst meeting tonight at theMil-ford police station’s trainingroom.Themeeting starts at 7 p.m. and

is open to the public.Village residents Ron Fowkes,

Perry Culham, Larry Betzler andNancyWeeks have been named toserve with Village Council Pres-ident Terri Rusas George andcouncil members JimKovachandMike Glagola on the commit-tee. Fowkes is a member of theRoad Commission for OaklandCounty. Culham spent 43 yearsas aMilford firefighter includ-ing 10 years as assistant fire chiefand 18months as interim firechief. Betzler andWeeks servedon the village’s Better Road Com-mittee last summer to get theword out about the 20-year roadmaintenancemillage proposal,which was approved by voters inAugust.The new tax is a 3.5-mill levy

for 10 years, followed by a 1-milltax for another 10 years.Participating with the com-

mittee is VillageManager BrentMorgan, Department of PublicServices Director Bob Calley andOHM engineerMatt Parks.According toVillageClerkDeb-

byFrazer, the committee is expect-ed tomeet a couple times amonthfor the first fewmonths untila plan is in place for the initialround of road improvements, andthenmonthlymeetingswill like-ly follow.Road improvements areexpected to beginmid-year 2013.

Road committeemeets tonight,public invited

Look who came to town


Santa waves to all the visitors in downtown Milford Saturday morning during the annual Christmas Parade.He will be back in town tonight for the Christmas Open House, and if you want to let him know what you’dlike under the tree on Christmas morning, stop by the Village Center Mall.

Members will recommendrepairs, maintenance for

village streets

School board advances sale deadline to next week, seeks proposals to raze sites


As the JeffreyPynemurdertrial continues inOaklandCoun-tyCircuit Court, forensic special-istWilliamForeman told jurorsearlier thisweek that bruisesfound on homicide victimRuthPyne’s hands indicate she triedto defend herself against herattacker before repeated blowsto the head andmultiple stabwounds led to her death.Foreman, a 27-year veteran

with the Oakland County Sher-iff’s Department, also testifiedthat blood spatters surrounding

Ruth Pyne’s body show she waslikely struck at least once in the

head before falling to the floorof the garage where the killingtook place.“It appears she was proba-

bly knocked to the ground, thenbeaten and stabbed,” he said.Jeffrey Pyne, 22, is charged

with first-degree premeditat-edmurder in theMay 27, 2011,death of his mother, Ruth Pyne.Ruth Pyne’s young daughterand husband found her bodylying in a pool of blood in thegarage of the family home onBurwood Court in Highland theday of the killing.

Defensive wounds, blood splatterevidence described to jurors


Accused murderer Jeffrey Pynelistens to testimony Monday inOakland County Circuit Court. Thetrial is in its second week.

Please see SCHOOLS, A13

Please see COMMITTEE, A14Please see TRIAL, A14

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(MT) LOCAL NEWS online at hometownlife.comA14 Hometown Weeklies | Thursday, November 29, 2012

“The goal is to (first)come up with a 5-yearplan and to get the draw-ings and plans in place

by spring (for the firstround of improvements)so work can start in thesummer,” Frazer said.TheMilford Village

Council will review thecommittee’s recommen-dations and have final say

on prioritizing the work.“Ultimately, the deci-sion lands at (the coun-cil) table,” said RusasGeorge.Frazer said the public

is encouraged to attendthemeetings. “It will be

nice if people can comeand see how the decisionsare beingmade and whythey are beingmade,” shesaid.

[email protected](248) 685-1507, ext. 261

COMMITTEEContinued from page A1

Foreman told jurorsthat evidence of RuthPyne’s blood was foundon a tub handle anddrain trap in the laundryroom, based on prelimi-nary swab tests. Howev-er, when questioned bydefense attorney JamesChampion, Foremansaid “false positives” areknown to occur in sometesting. He also said thatif the results were accu-rate, he couldn’t deter-mine how long the bloodhad been there.Foreman testified

that he used tools fromthe Pyne garage in hisattempt to collect partsof the laundry tub as evi-dence, which Championsaid could have “contami-nated the scene.”Damp towels from

the laundry room andupstairs bathroomwereamong the items con-fiscated as evidence byinvestigators.Leucocrystal violet—a

reagent similar to Luminol—uncovered no blood evi-dence in the path from thegarage entry door into the

home, through the familyroomand into the laundryroom, Foreman said.The reagent was used

on and inside JeffreyPyne’s car, also yielding

negative results, accord-ing to OCSD forensic labspecialist Robert Koteles,whose testimony followedForeman’s.Koteles, who searched

Pyne’s car as part of theinvestigation, said leu-cocrystal violet wassprayed on the outsidedoor handle, the driver’sside floor board and inthe trunk. Koteles said hesaw no blood inside thePyne home as he photo-graphed each room fordocumentation.Also taking the stand

this week was OCSDDetective John Jacob,testifying that Ruth Pynewas face downwhen shewas repeatedly hit with

blunt force in the head,and then turned over orwas turned over beforeshe was stabbedmulti-ple times in the neck. Healso said it was possiblefor just a small amountof blood to be sprayed onthe assailant during thekilling, depending on thelength of the object usedand the distance from thevictim. For example, ifa three-foot long boardwas used, Jacob said, he“wouldn’t expect a lot ofblood on the person.”Last week, Detective

Steve Zdravkovski of theOCSD testified that Ber-nie Pyne called him sev-eral days after themur-der to report two boards,a screw driver and a boxcutter missing from thegarage. None has beenrecovered.Prosecutors contend

that Pyne used at leastone of the boards in thekilling.Champion insists that

the case against Pyneis circumstantial. Fam-ily and friends supportthe former U-M stu-dent’s claim of innocence,describing him as qui-et, reserved and lovingtoward his mother.Ruth Pyne was diag-

nosed several years agoas bipolar with psychoticfeatures, and had a histo-ry of violent and bizarrebehavior when she didn’ttake her prescribedmed-ication. Oakland Coun-ty Assistant ProsecutorJohn Skrzynski maintainsthat Pyne was driven tokill after enduring “yearsand years of living withhis mentally ill mother.”Circuit Judge Leo

Bowman is presidingover the trial.



Forensic specialist William Foreman testified Mondayabout blood splatters and other evidence found at thePyne home the day of Ruth Pyne’s murder.

Buy unique gifts andsimultaneously supportlocal artists during thethird annual Festival ofTrees Holiday Artist Mar-ket.The event, present-

ed byHVCA’s The ArtShop, opens with a gal-lery reception from 7-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30, atHuron Valley Council forthe Arts, 205W. Livings-ton Road in Highland“Themarket features

hundreds of pieces of art-work and gifts from doz-ens ofMichigan artists,”said Leah Ohmer, HVCAexecutive director. “Vis-itors can find gifts whilebrowsing the beautifulwork displayed on treesin our gallery. The showis a great place to findunique gifts during theholidays. All pieces arelocally made inMichi-gan and are one-of-a-kindpieces of art and finecraft.“There is something

for everyone on the list.”Items being sold this yearinclude paintings, purs-es, quilts, sculptures, jew-elry, pottery, glass, pho-tography, books andhand-spun yarn as wellas hand-made scarves,socks and sweaters,” sheadded.BarbWeisenburg, one

of the show’s artists, hasdisplayed her work dur-ing all three years of the

event. “As an artist, par-ticipating in this showkicks off my holiday sea-son in a good way,” sheexplained. “The settingis so beautiful; the artamong the beautiful hol-iday decorations is souplifting. And I think thepeople who come to theshow have that same feel-ing. Another reason I liketo participate there is thehigh quality of the artsand crafts being exhib-ited. And the opening isalways a festive gala.”Gallery hours for Festi-

val of Trees Holiday Art-ist Market are 10 a.m. to5 p.m.Wednesdays-Fri-days and from 11 a.m. to4 p.m. Saturdays throughFriday, Dec. 21. For moreinformation, call (248)889-8660.

Festival of Treesmarket featureslocal artists

The Huron Valley Councilfor the arts is featuringlocal artists throughout De-cember during the Festivalof Trees market.

Don’t Get Left Out in theCold this Winter

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MOVE TOWALTONWOOD

BY DECEMBER 31ST

and we’ll freezeYOUR RENT AT2012 RATES!

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www.Waltonwood.com

Call today to schedule your personal tour(248) 504-0590

Independent Living • Licensed Assisted Living • Memory Care

Waltonwood at Twelve Oaks offers carefree senior living. With friendly neighbors, convenient amenities,personal staff and caregivers on-site, you’re free to choose how you spend the day.

Spacious apartments • Housekeeping & maintenance • Delicious, home-cooked meals • Activities and scheduled transportationPet friendly community • Personalized care services available

*Rate freeze offer applies only to Independent Living move-ins by December 31, 2012. See community for complete details.

AT8790183

ATOE0879

070

5







Volume 141Number 52

PRICE: $1 • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012 • hometownlife.com

HOLIDAY FASHIONWOMAN - SPECIAL SECTION INSIDE

TIME TO SHAKE YOURJOB-SEARCH BLUES

CLASSIFIED, SECTION B

MONEYSAVINGCoupons

Look inside for

Ticklin’ ivoryA Piano Extravagan-

za returns to the HuronValley this Saturday,Dec. 8, with perfor-mances at 3:30 and7:30 p.m. at LakelandHigh School.Experience the

wonder of the holidayseason as four masterpianists bring March ofthe Toys and other holi-day favorites to life onfour grand pianos. Thisconcert also featureseight local pianists,percussionists, the OakValley Middle SchoolChoir and an amazingfinale with 24 hands onfour pianos you won’twant to miss.Tickets run $7 to

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New recipesCommunity Sharing

is selling cookbooks,chock full of favoriterecipes from its com-mitted volunteers. Thebooks cost $10 andproceeds benefit theHighland-based out-reach center. Purchasebooks at CommunitySharing, After the Rainin Milford or Fragmentsin Highland.

Santa lettersDear kids: Please

don’t forget Santa. Hewants to hear fromyou in time for theholidays. He’s expect-ing so many lettersthat he has askedthe Milford Times tohelp. Please send yourletter and a photoof yourself to theeditor at [email protected] Times will publishletters and photosbefore the holidays.That means we needto receive your letterby noon Wednesday,Dec. 12.


Agroup ofMilford residentsexpressed their interest in savingBaker Elementary in the villageand using it for the community.Members presented their ideas

Monday night to the Huron Val-

ley Schools Board of EducationandMilford Village Council inseparate meetings.The village council declined to

negotiate with the school boardin buying the Baker building.Several council members said

they think the school district isjumping the gun in plans to raze

the buildings, preferring to seethe site remain as is. They alsosaid they were intrigued by ideaspresented from the communitygroup.Colleen Kilpatrick, one of the

organizers trying to save Bak-er, said a group of residents andbusiness owners want the build-ing to be repurposed for thecommunity. About 15 peoplemet Friday to brainstorm ideas,which were presented to the twogoverning bodies.“Our goal is to save the school,”

she said. “Taxpayer dollarsbuilt andmaintained it. Milforddeserves to have that building touse for generations to come.”Larry Betzler, another orga-

nizer with the group, said mem-bers wanted to find a way to usethe building without it costingthe village or school district anymoney.“We want to do it in a way that

would create a really specialplace,” he said.

Group wants to save Baker schoolSchool board rejects Highland offer;Tuesday was deadline for deal

Scoop the Newshound isasking Huron Valley-areafamilies to join theO&EMedia toy drive to benefityouth served byMethod-ist Children’s Home Soci-ety and Orchards Chil-dren’s Services.“Both organizations

help protect abused andneglected children byproviding housing, educa-tion and other services,”said Choya Jordan,O&EMediamar-ketingmanag-er andprojectorga-nizer.“Please consider donat-ing a new unwrapped giftthis year. Your gift willhelp brighten a youth’sholiday season.”Donate a new

unwrapped toys, and youwill receive a voucherfor a free Buddy’s four-square cheese pizza.This is the second year

theMilford Times hassponsored a toy drive tobenefit these local orga-nizations and help bright-en the holidays for areachildren.TheMethodist Chil-

dren’s Home Society inRedford has been suc-cessfully helping chil-

Toy drive: Helparea childrenhave a happyholiday season

Just here those sleigh bells jingling ...


The Milford High School choir sings carols in Center Street Park last Thursday during the downtown Milford OpenHouse, getting shoppers in the holiday spirit. Find more photos celebrating the Christmas season inside.


Jeffrey Pyne claims he wastransplanting lilac bushes in theearly afternoon of Friday, May 27,2011, the day his mother was blud-geoned and stabbed to death.Diane Needham, the widow

who had hired him to do the jobat her Highland Township home,believes the work was done daysearlier.These conflicting statements—

which call into question the validi-ty of Pyne’s alibi — are among themost recent testimony jurors haveheard so far in Oakland Coun-ty Circuit Judge Leo Bowman’scourtroom as the 22-year-old Pynestands trial for themurder of hismother, Ruth Pyne.On Friday, Assistant Prosecutor

John Skrzynski played for jurorsa recording of Pyne’s voice mailto Needham, in which he stateshe had been at her homeworking

that day shortly before headingto his job at Spicer’s Orchard. Shesaid she found that odd, since itwas the first time in the six yearshe had worked for her that he lefther a voice mail describing whathe had done there and where hewas going.

Needham said she was also trou-bled to hear how Pyne accountedfor his whereabouts when ques-tioned by detectives. “I knew hehad planted the lilacs onMonday,not on Friday,” she said.

Witnesses knock Pyne’s alibiTrial continues Monday for man accused of killing mother

AILEEN WINGBLAD

Diane Needham of Highland took the stand Friday in Oakland County CircuitCourt during the murder trial of Jeffrey Pyne. Needham’s testimony conflictswith Pyne’s alibi.

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dren for 95 years, butright now foster childrenare in dire straits. Thecost of caring for thesechildren has increased,but state funding has not.In these hard econom-ic times, these childrenneed help now, more thanever.Last yearMCHS served

more than 270 childrenthrough residential, fos-ter care, adoption and lit-eracy programs.Orchards Children’s

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and youth by providingshelter, sustenance, lifeand educational skills andopportunities. Orchardsprograms and servicestouch children from birthto young adulthood, andthe agency remains com-mitted to them every stepof the way.Orchards was also rec-

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contact Choya Jordan viaemail at [email protected].

TOYContinued from page A1

DROPOFF LOCATIONS

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@hometownlife

On cross-examination,however, the white-hairedgrandmother admittedshe has trouble with hermemory.“You’re certain you’re

right and you’re certainyourmemory is infalli-ble?” challenged defenseattorney James Champi-on. Answered Needham:“I tend to forget thingsand remember otherthings.”Needham’s neighbor,

DonaldMacKinnon, tes-tified Friday that he nev-er saw Pyne or his carat Needham’s home thatday. MacKinnon said hewas outside from latemorning until mid-after-noon, helping anotherneighbor reassemble aswimming pool two doorsfromNeedham’s house.He also said he noticedthe transplanted lilacbushes on Tuesday, andthat Pyne had been thereearlier in the week.Also called to testi-

fy late last week wereDNA experts, who saidblood found on a laun-dry tub faucet in thehomematched Ruth’s —but how long it had beenthere couldn’t be deter-mined— and there wasno evidence of blood onthe tub drain, varioustowels and Pyne’s jeanssubmitted for testing.Earlier in the week,

jurors watched a record-ed interview of Pyne

and detectives from theOakland County Sher-iff’s Office, conductedat the Highland Town-ship substation the dayafter themurder. Pynedenied hurting his moth-er, and said he’d lastseen her alive when hehelped her unload grocer-ies and hugged her. Lat-

er that day, she was foundbludgeoned and stabbedto death in the family’sgarage.While he had been told

earlier in the day that hismother died, Pyne didn’task how on the record-ing. Eventually, one of thedetectives asked, “Whatdo you think happened?”

“I don’t think she wouldhurt herself; she’s notthat kind of person,” Pynesaid.The investigators ques-

tioned him about his rela-tionship with his mother,who was seriously men-tally ill and was some-times violent toward himand his sister.“I don’t have a problem

withmymom; the onlyissue is I wanted her totakemedication,” he said.“That was the only prob-lem I had with her.”One of the detectives

said: “Jeffrey, yourmomwasmurdered. Somebodykilled yourmom.”Pyne put his hand to his

face. “I don’t knowwhatto tell you,” he said.When the detectives left

the room for several min-utes, Pyne put his face inhis hands and sometimeswiped his eyes.Skrzynski maintains

Pyne was driven to killhis mother after enduringseveral years of livingwith her mental illness.Pyne’s family and severalin the Highland commu-nity support his claim ofinnocence.The trial is suspend-

ed this week and willresumeMonday. BerniePyne, Ruth’s husband andJeffrey Pyne’s father, isexpected to testify thatday.

Gannett News Service con-tributed to this report.


PYNEContinued from page A1


Jeffrey Pyne heads out of the courtroom during a break inthe murder trial. He’s accused of killing his mother.

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Volume 142Number 1


HolidaySPECIAL SECTION INSIDE

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GIFT IDEAS

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JERSEY BOYS, TAYLOR SWIFTCheck out www.hometownlife .com for details

Win ticketsEnter our Facebook

contest for a chance towin two tickets to seeJersey Boys Sunday,Dec. 30, at the FisherTheater. Share the con-test link with a Face-book friend and get anextra five chances towin if they also enterthe contest.

Winter paddleEnjoy nature, friends

and neighbors fromnoon to 6 p.m. NewYear’s Day at theHuron River Paddle atProud Lake RecreationArea.The afternoon

includes nature walks,storytelling, bonfireand more. For theadventuresome, hit theriver for a paddle at 2p.m. at the Moss LakeDam. Canoe rentalsavailable, as well asreturn transportationfrom Wixom Road, fora fee.Cocoa and coffee

provided. Guests in-vited to bring a snackto share. The eventis free, although arecreational passportis needed for parkentry.

ChristmasCantataThe Milford Presby-

terian Church will hostits annual ChristmasCantata, “A Light StillShines,” at 7 p.m. Sat-urday, Dec. 15, and at5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16,at the church, 238 N.Main Street in down-town Milford.The ancient Christ-

mas story is pre-sented through vocalmovements rangingfrom traditional (OCome, All Ye Faith-ful) to modern (Mary,Did You Know?) toexciting and upbeat(We Have Seen TheLight!), interspersedwith a contemporarydrama.A free will offer-

ing will be received.Learn more at www.milfordpc.org.


Picture a downtownHighland boasting a tree-linedMilford Road, newand continuous sidewalks,landscaped intersections.Folks aremilling about,

visiting shops and restau-rants housed in histor-ic homes and on freshly-developed parcels.That’s the vision shared by

Township SupervisorRickHamill and other officials,

members ofHighland’sDowntownDevelopmentAuthority, business ownersand plenty of residents forthe past several years.And it’s a vision chal-

lenged by basic math: TheDDA has accumulated just$700,000 so far by captur-ing taxes in the downtowndistrict to pay for its pro-posed project, which hasan estimated price tag of$1.2-$1.4 million.

Highland supervisor: 2013 tobring downtown improvements


Sidewalks and streetscape improvements are planned for downtown Highland, whichSupervisor Rick Hamill expects will begin in 2013.


Holly Freeman, former girlfriend of JeffreyPyne, testified Monday in Oakland CountyCircuit Court. Pyne is on trial for killing hismother, Ruth Pyne, last year.


As the Jeffrey Pynemurder tri-al resumedMonday in Oakland Coun-ty Circuit Court after a week-longrecess, jurors heard tearful testimo-ny by Pyne’s ex-girlfriend as she spokeof her discovery inMarch 2011 that hehad been cheating on her for months—leaving her to doubt howwell she real-ly knew the youngman she had beendating for more than two years.Initially keeping her composure on

the stand, Holly Freeman describedhow Pyne had frequent crying spellsearly in their relationship as he strug-gled to come to terms with themen-tal illness of his mother. Freeman alsospoke of his mother’s odd behavior asdescribed by Pyne, including storingknives in the headboard of her bed, aswell as her refusal to take prescribedmedication.

Formergirlfriendtestifies atPyne trial

Mixed emotions


Kase Wright, 2, isn’t quite sure how to react while meeting Santa in the Village Center Mall in down-town Milford. Kids — and adults — who want to let the jolly man know what they want for Christmascan do so 6-8 p.m. each Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Saturday until Christmas.


If the National HockeyLeague lockout has you hun-gering for some action on theice, mark your calendar forDec. 21.It’s the Detroit RedWings

Alumni Association versusseveral local police depart-ments for a charity hockeygame fundraiser at Compu-ware Arena, in honor of fall-enWest Bloomfield policeofficer Patrick O’Rourke.O’Rourke, 39, was killed inaction Sept. 9 after respond-ing to a domestic dispute.Watch retired pros Joe

Kocur, Kris Draper, Dino Cic-

carelli, KirkMaltby andseveral othersshow they stillgot it whenthey faceoff that eve-ning against“boys in blue”fromMil-

ford, Plymouth, West Bloom-field, Southfield, White Lake,Sterling Heights and GrossePointe. The event is present-ed by the Joe Kocur Foun-dation for Children and theDetroit RedWings Associa-tion.Along with the game, the

evening will include a 50/50raffle and live auction of

autographed, game-wornNHL alumni jerseys. All pro-ceeds will benefit the PatrickO’Rourke Family Trust.“Pat left behind four young

children and a wife. We’retrying to do our best for them,trying to take care of ‘ourown,’” said Sgt. Scott Tarasie-wicz of theMilford PoliceDepartment.Tarasiewicz came up with

the idea for the benefit as thelegacy project for the North-western University School ofPolice Staff and Command, inwhich he’s currently enrolled.Tarasiewicz heads the legacygift committee.

Charity hockey game to benefitfallen police officer’s family

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Freeman said she andPyne shared concern forhis young sister’s safe-ty in the home, and theyspoke of moving outtogether, gettingmarriedand having kids.Yet part way through

her two-plus hours on thestand, Freeman was over-come by emotion as shedescribed being “com-pletely thrown off” whenshe learned Pyne con-cocted a story about aMarch trip to Grand Rap-ids with his boss—whenhe was really spend-ing the time with anoth-er woman. The betrayalwas completely out of hischaracter “because Jeff,to me, was the perfectguy, the perfect son, theperfect boyfriend,” shesaid, crying.“This was the first time

ever that I ever had areason to doubt him. Itrusted him wholeheart-edly — I never had a rea-son not to. This was thefirst time I felt I couldn’tanymore.“He lied so effortless-

ly to my family, to myfriends. He had a wholeelaborate story to cov-er his tracks,” Freemansaid.

Testimony continuesPyne, 22, is charged

with first-degree premed-itatedmurder in the kill-ing of his mother, RuthPyne. The 51-year-oldmother of two was foundbludgeoned and stabbedto death in the garageof the family’s HighlandTownship homeMay 27,2011.The former U-M stu-

dent and high schoolvaledictorian maintainshe was at work dur-ing the time the mur-der occurred. His claimof innocence is support-ed by many in the com-munity, including rela-tives on both sides of thefamily.

Prosecutors contendPyne killed his moth-er because he was angryovermental illness andthe toll it took on the fam-ily.Freeman testified that

Pyne loved his mother,yet was determined tocontinue their intimaterelationship despite RuthPyne condemning it. “Itwas the first time he everdefied his parents,” shesaid.In a further attempt to

challenge Pyne’s credi-bility— and his reputa-tion for being gentle andkind, hard-working andupstanding— assistantprosecutor John Skrzyns-ki also called to the standTanyaMoore, 23, who tes-tified that she went onone date with Pyne in fall2010, unaware that he andFreeman were in a rela-tionship at the time. Shesaid Pyne wanted a rela-tionship that went beyondthe friend stage, but shedid not.Also testifyingMonday

was Renee Ginell, a now-divorcedmother of threewho had an affair withBernie Pyne—Ruth’shusband and JeffreyPyne’s father— from2010 until a fewmonthsbefore Ruth’s death.Ginell said she and Ber-nie were drawn togeth-er because they both hadspouses with mental ill-ness.Ginell also spoke of her

ex-husband and son beingbipolar and having vio-lent pasts, which includedsword and knife attacks.During cross-examina-

tion by defense attorneyJames Champion, Ginelltestified that police nev-er searched her home,phone records or bankrecords during theirinvestigation. Champi-on called it an example ofthe “rush to judgment”he contends led to Pynebeing charged in themur-der.“This was another alter-

native they didn’t pur-sue,” he said.

Pathologist detailsinjuries

On Tuesday, Dr. RubenOrtiz-Reyes, forensicpathologist with the Oak-land County medicalexaminer’s office whoconducted Ruth Pyne’sautopsy, testified thatshe sustained at leastfour blows to the headwith an edged, bluntobject which cracked herskull in multiple spotsand caused brain hem-orrhage. Her left armand right hand were bro-ken, he said, suggestingshe had raised her armsto protect her face dur-ing the attack. The blowscaused her to lose con-sciousness and fall to thefloor, he said.Oakland County Cir-

cuit Judge Leo Bow-man warned jurors ofthe graphic nature of theautopsy photographs pri-or to them being shownin court. Several min-utes later, a juror suf-fered what appeared tobe a brief seizure, whichled to Bowman calling arecess.Bowman said the juror

told him she had nomedi-cal conditions and wishedto continue with the trial.She also said the exhib-it photographs, as well asneeding a drink of water,could have been a con-tributing factor.The juror was brought

back to the courtroom ashort time later and saidshe was ready to pro-ceed.As Ortiz-Reyes’s testi-

mony continued, he saidhemorrhaging noted frommultiple stab wounds toRuth Pyne’s neck showshe was still alive whenshe was stabbed, but diedshortly afterward.Her injuries indicate

she was the victim of“overkilling,” he added,which indicates themur-derer was “really upset ...about what, I don’t know.”




Huron Valley Schoolsofficials were scheduledto approve demolitionbids for its two vacantschool buildings at a spe-cial school boardmeetinglast night.The Dec. 12 meet-

ing was scheduled forMonday in between twosuperintendent candi-date interviews. OnMon-

day, school officials saidthemeeting to discussthe vacant buildings mer-ited its ownmeeting. Anumber of people hadexpressed their intentto attend themeeting,and theMondaymeetingwould have been limitedin time.Public comment will be

taken before discussingthe demolition bids.School officials said 17

bids were received for

the demolition work, andadministrators recom-mended hiring AdamoGroup to raze Baker Ele-mentary for $95,000 andhiring ProDemo to lev-el HighlandMiddle for$199,000. A 15 percentcontingency for the proj-ects was recommended,as well.Money from the vot-

er-approved building and

Santa Paws


At the Powerhouse at Central Park in downtown Milford, pets got their phototaken with Santa as a fundraiser for Community Sharing, a Highland-based outreachcenter. Organizers are asking a minimum $20 donation, as well as pet-related itemsto donated to the center’s pet pantry. On Saturday, visitors (from left) Mary Bajczand her dog Sirius, Carlos Allison’s dog Bear, Olivia Pas and her pet fish, The Captain,and Bev Larson and her dog Lucy were among those getting a photo taken. Thefundraiser continues from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Opening ceremoniesare at 7:15 p.m. withgame start at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $20, avail-able at each participatingpolice departments.“If we get a sell out,

that’s 4,000 tickets— andthat’s roughly $80,000right there that we can

give to the family,” Tar-asiewicz said.Compuware Arena is at

14900 Beck in Plymouth.


BENEFITContinued from page A1

School board discusses demo bidsfor vacant Highland, Baker buildings

Please see BUILDINGS, A4

Still need to get some holidayshopping done and wantsomething fun to do?

December 15th, 2013 • 11:00-2:00pmKaren's School of Dance will be having their

First Annual Holiday Bazaar!The Holiday Bazaar is a fundraiser for the

DanceSations Booster Club for all thedancers at Karen's School of Dance.

There will be many different fun-filled activitiesgoing on throughout the day, including free dance

classes, many different vendors to shop at, andraffles for prizes! Come and join the fun!

Some of the vendors include: Lia Sopia, Thirty One, Mary Kay, Avon,Pampered Chef, Arbonne, Tastefully Simple, Scentsy, and Partylite!

Those are just a few! there will be more to come. This will be an excellentopportunity to shop and look for Christmas presents for the whole family.

FREE dance classes for all ages will include:- Zumba for adults

( please bring a can for the food drive)

11:30-12:15 Hip Hop12:30-1:15 Jazz

1:15 - 2:00 Zumba for kids

Karens is also an official drop off for the community sharing food drive!

Karen’s School of Dance1185 S. Milford RoadHighland, MI 48357

9:30 10:309:30 10:30







Volume 142Number 2


GADGETS FOR THEWEEKEND WARRIORINSPIRE — SPECIAL SECTION

Photo contestEnter your favorite

holiday photo in ourcontest for a chanceto win a $20 gift cardto a department store.Upload a picture ofyour house in lights,a visit with Santa oranything related to theholidays. Share the linkwith friends and see ifyou come out on top.You and your Facebookfriends are allowed onevote per day. To findthe contest, go to ourwebsite, Hometown-life.com and look onthe right-hand side inour Don’t Miss module.Clicking on the photoof the Christmas pres-ents will take you tothe contest page. Thevoting ends Dec. 30.

Park permitsLooking for a great

gift for someone wholoves the outdoors?Get them unlimitedaccess to 13 parks insoutheast Michiganby purchasing 2013Huron-Clinton Me-troparks annual vehicleentry or boat launch-ing permits.Vehicle entry per-

mits for 2013 are $25regular and $15 seniorcitizen (62 and older).Metroparks annualboat launching permitsare $30 regular and $15senior citizen (62 andolder).Permits are available

at the park offices atKensington and IndianSprings metroparks, aswell as the administra-tive offices off Kensing-ton Road in Brighton.

Win ticketsEnter our Facebook

contest for a chance towin two tickets to seeJersey Boys Sunday,Dec. 30, at the FisherTheater. Find the linkat hometownlife.comand click on the “don’tmiss” module on theright hand side.Share the contest link

with a Facebook friendand get an extra fivechances to win if theyalso enter the contest.


There’s not much time, butMil-ford andHighland residents interest-ed in trying to save Baker ElementaryandHighlandMiddle schools from thewrecking ball have a chance to do so.Last week, the Huron Valley Schools

board agreed to consider compre-hensive proposals for each of the twovacant buildings to convert the build-ings to other uses.School officials, however, haven’t

committed to maintaining ownershipsof the sites.School board President Sean Carlson

said the district sent letters to High-land and village ofMilford officialsto work together on any plan. A dealneeds to be finalized by Jan. 15.“We want our team to sit downwith

their team, perhaps hold joint com-munity hearings,” he said. “If this is acommunity thing, all the stakeholdershave to be at the table, including thegovernment. We’re not going to wastetime. We’re going to reach out and seeif there’s a genuine offer to be had.”

Clock’s tickingThe school board also approved bids

to raze the two buildings. The earliestthat would occur is inMarch, althoughAssistant Superintendent DonnaWelchsaid abatement of the properties needsto take place before that, as well. Bidsfor that work are expected back in ear-ly January. The abatement processitself takes about 45 days, she said,meaning the work would have to startin mid- to late January to be done intime for the demolition schedule.The school board approved contracts

to AdamoGroup to raze Baker Elemen-tary for $95,000 and ProDemo to levelHighlandMiddle for $199,000.


Defense attorney James Champion hugs Jeff Pyne after a jury found him guilty of second-degree mur-der in the death of his mother, Ruth Pyne.


Guilty of second-degreemurder.It took an Oakland County

jury less than two full daysof deliberation to decide Jef-frey Pyne did, indeed, killhis mother Ruth Pyne, 51, inthe garage of their HighlandTownship home. The verdictwas announced shortly after4 p.m. Tuesday in the packedcourtroom of Oakland CountyCircuit Judge Leo Bowman,four days before Pyne’s 23rdbirthday.Pyne repeatedly blinked

and shook his head as Bow-man individually polled thejury’s eight women and fourmen. Some of Pyne’s sup-porters, which included bothsides of his family, wipedaway tears after the verdictwas read, but his father, Ber-nie Pyne, showed little emo-

tion in the courtroom.Moments later, however,

Bernie Pyne said he was sur-prised by the verdict, add-ing that it did nothing to rat-tle his belief in his son’s inno-cence—which he has main-tained from the start.“I don’t believe my son

would ever harm his moth-er. I believe there are other

suspects out there that werenever looked at,” he said.Bernie Pyne said he was

anxious to get to his daugh-ter, 12-year-old Julia, to tellher “it’s just her and menow.” He also said he was“holding on” to the fact thathis son doesn’t automatical-

Jury: Pyne guiltyof murdering mom

Jeffrey Pyne is led away in handcuffs following the guilty verdictannouncement.

Board takingoffers forvacantbuildings

Demolition contractsapproved; alternativesneeded before Jan. 15


Organizers of communityevents inMilford will continue toreceive as much as $500 worth ofpolice protection, help from thevillage’s Department of PublicServices and equipment rental in2013, but the three top paradeswill get a much larger contribu-tion due toMonday’s decision bythe village council.In a 5-1 vote, council OK’d

the expenditure— including asmuch as $3,500 in support for thedowntown’sMemorial Day, Inde-pendence Day and Christmasparades. JimKovach was thelone dissenting vote; fellow coun-cil member Jennifer Frankforddidn’t attend themeeting.Council had reviewed its poli-

cy for what it had called “in-kinddonations” several times duringthe past couple of years because

Village sets 2013 policy for in-kind donationsVeterans pres-ent the flags atthe start of lastmonth’s Christmasparade in down-town Milford. TheVillage of Milfordcouncil approvedincreased in-kindcontributions forthe Christmas,Memorial Day andIndependence Dayparades.HAL GOULD | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Please see PYNE, A5

Please see DONATIONS, A6

Please see BUILDINGS, A6

WIN CONCERT TICKETSFACEBOOK CONTEST

JERSEY BOYS, TAYLOR SWIFTCheck out www.hometownlife.com for details

LAST-MINUTESHOPPING THETECH SAVVY WAY

BUSINESS, B6

(MT)LOCAL NEWSonline at hometownlife.com A5Hometown Weeklies | Thursday, December 20, 2012

ly face life in prison, ashe would have if the juryhad convicted him on thealternate charge of first-degree premeditatedmurder.Ruth Pyne, who had

a history of mental ill-ness and violent, bizarrebehavior when she wasn’ttaking her medication,was found dead and lyingin a pool of bloodMay 27,2011. In a trial that beganin mid-November, prose-cutors called more than20 witnesses to build acase that proved Pyne’sfrustration with hismother’s illness and theaffects it had on the fami-ly drove him to murder.In a prepared state-

ment, family memberLinda Jarvie said, “Mysister Ruth was a vic-tim. She was not the mon-ster the media portrayedher to be. Some justicewas served by the ver-dict today. I’m deep-ly saddened bymy sis-ter Ruth’s senselessdeath. This was a heinouscrime. Ruth Pyne was avictim.”After the verdict,

Detective Sgt. GregGlover of the OaklandCounty Sheriff’s Office— one of the investiga-tors assigned to the case— said he believed thejury sympathized withJeffrey Pyne’s home life,possibly leading themto convict on the lesser

charge.Pyne, a former valedic-

torian of West HighlandChristian Academy andUniversity of Michiganstudent, had said he wasdoing yard work at thehome of a Highland wid-ow, Diane Needham, ataround the time his moth-er was killed. Defenseattorney James Champi-on attempted to portrayhim as a kind, gentle andupstanding college stu-dent who deeply lovedhis mother. Championmaintained Pyne’s arrestwas a “rush to judgment”in a poorly-investigatedcase.Prosecutors present-

ed two key pieces of evi-dence against him—Needham’s testimonythat the yard work Pynereferred to had beendone days earlier, andblister-like injuries onhis hands consistent withrepeatedly swinging atwo-by-four or similarobject, which is believedto have caused the mas-sive injuries to RuthPyne’s head. Ruth Pynewas also stabbed 16 timesin the neck.Investigators found no

murder weapon or bloodon Pyne nor his clothes orcar, but prosecutors saidhe had time to clean upevidence before leavingthe home that afternoon.Pyne will be sentenced

by Bowman at 3 p.m. Jan.29.



ing systemwill automati-cally close the restroomsovernight.“I think it’s a wonderful

plan,” said council mem-ber Liz Heer. “I love the

way there’s no infring-ing on the natural aspectof the park— it actual-ly compliments the waythe seating is. And it’s atimeless design, the sortof thing that never wearsout or goes out of style.”According toGordon

Muir,MilfordTownship

planning commissionerandmember of the tri-par-ty joint project commit-tee, the project’s estimat-ed cost is $500,000. Repre-sentatives from theRota-ryClub and theHVCCsaiditwill be paid by donationsand fundraisers.Dale Feigley, DDA

boardmember, said thecompleted project willimprove “quality of lifefor the citizenry.”“This is a fantastic idea

that has been a long timein the coming,” he said.


PARKContinued from page A3


Bernie Pyne is mobbed by the media after he leaves the courtroom. He has maintained his belief from the start that hisson, Jeffrey Pyne, is innocent, despite the jury’s guilty verdict.

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Volume 142Number 7

PRICE: $1 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013 • hometownlife.com

AUTO SHOWAUTO SHOWCHARITYCHARITYPREVIEWPREVIEWLOCAL NEW A8LOCAL NEW A8

I WANT YOU BACKGETTING HIRED BY A FORMER EMPLOYER

CLASSIFIED, SECTION B

Relay for LifeThe 2013Milford/

Highland Relay forLife kicks off at 5:30p.m. Thursday, Jan. 31,at Bakers of Milford.Everyone is invited tolearn more about theevent, which raisesmoney for the AmericanCancer Society in its goalof finding a cure forcancer. Next Thursday’sprogram starts at 6:15p.m., with an expo run-ning 6:55-7:30 p.m.The 2013 Relay for

Life event is May 4-5 atMilford High School.For more informa-

tion, contact Mary Kraftat (517) 223-3453 [email protected].

Help wantedHighland Township

seeking a full-time elec-tion and FOIA coordina-tor for the clerk’s office.Millie Lewis, who’s

currently serving in thatcapacity, is retiring.Mondaywill be her lastday in the office. The37.5-hour-per week jobpays $14.99 to $17.27per hour. The job postingseeks detail-oriented ap-plicants with computerand organizational skillswhoworkwell with thepublic. The deadline toapply is Jan. 31.

Coming homeLt. Col. Scott Hiipakka

is set to come homeFriday toMilford. Hehas been serving inAfghanistan sinceMay.TheAmerican Legion,Women’s Auxiliary andAmVETS are excited tohelpwelcome himhome.The community is invitedto helpwelcome himhome. Organizers, how-ever, were not expectedto find outwhen he isscheduled to land in De-troit until lateWednes-day or early today.Those interested in

the homecoming cancall Claudia Schimetzat (248) 685-8437, theAmerican Legion at(248) 684-9919 of visitthe Milford Times Face-book page for detailsonce they’re available.

Office hoursState Rep. Eileen

Kowall, R-White Lake,will hold office hours9-10 a.m. Saturday,Feb. 2, at Colasanti’sMarket in Highland.She will also meet withresidents 8-9 a.m. Mon-day, Feb. 4, at Daveand Amy’s in WhiteLake. County Commis-sioner Jim Runestad,R-White Lake, will be atthe White Lake officehours, as well.

The Highland Township board will tour the gym at the for-mer middle school next door on Wednesday, then discusswhether or not the interest and money is available to saveit from demolition. It’s expected to cost about $150,000 tosave the gym.


Highland TownshipSupervisor Rick Hamillwants the public to tourthe HighlandMiddleSchool gymWednesday.Then, he wants them

to stick around to see if

there’s enough support tosave that part of the for-mer school before asbes-tos abatement takes placearound the gym and itgets torn down.Those interested will

meet at the HighlandAdult Activity Center onJohn Street, next to the

school, at 6:45 p.m. A spe-cial boardmeeting willfollow.“I would like to see this

structure repurposedfor the good of the com-munity and by the com-munity,” Hamill said in a

Highland board to discussgym plan this WednesdayOfficials need $150,000 by Feb. 1 to save part of former school


A fewweeks after trash day changedinMilford andHighland, residents androute drivers continue to adjust to thenew schedule.Village ofMilford Clerk Debby Fraz-

er said her office has fielded a fewquestions— but no complaints — fromthe community since theMonday/Tuesday garbage and recycling pick-up day changed to Tuesday only for vil-lage residents. Milford Township staff,however, said they’ve handled abouta dozen extra phone calls each weekregarding the township’s newWednes-day trash day. Some stops have beenmissed, but once the route manageris contacted, he has been responsivein going back to make sure garbageand recycling is picked up from thoseaddresses, said Ruth Tessman, town-ship administrative assistant.“It’s just getting used to the new rou-

tine,” Tessman said.

Residentsadjustingto new

trash days


Rizzo trash employees pick up trash in thevillage of Milford Tuesday morning. Thenew hauler in the Huron Valley area hasswitched around garbage days for manyin the community.

In memory of his message


About 100 people from the Huron Valley area and beyond braved the 15-degree weather to participatein the annual Huron Valley Martin Luther King Jr. march in downtown Milford. After meeting in theProspect Hill parking lot, the group processed down to Central Park for a short ceremony. Learn moreabout the group’s efforts online at www.hvmlkday.org.


“Beating a square peg untilit fit in a round hole.”That’s how Bernie Pyne

sums up the prosecution’scase against his son, JeffreyPyne, who was convicted lastmonth of killing Ruth Pyne,the 23-year-old’s mother andBernie Pyne’s wife.“They couldn’t make (their

case) fit, so they just kept get-ting a bigger and bigger ham-mer, and kept smashing awayat that square peg until it fit,”Bernie Pyne said.Jeffrey Pyne, a formerUni-

versity ofMichigan student,

faces up to lifein prisonwhenhe’s sentencedTuesday byOakland Coun-ty CircuitJudge LeoBowman forsecond-degreemurder. His

convictionwas based on cir-cumstantial evidence, includ-ing an alibi that prosecutorssaid didn’t hold up and blisterson his handswhich could havebeen caused by repeatedlyswinging a two-by-four boardor similar object— believed tohave causedmassive injuriesto Ruth Pyne’s head.

Ruth Pyne had a long his-tory of mental illness andbizarre, sometimes violentbehavior when not taking hermedication. She was founddead in the garage of the fam-ily’s Highland Township homeinMay 2011 from blunt forcetrauma to her skull andmulti-ple stab wounds.

Pyne sentencing Tuesdayformurder of mother

Jeffrey Pyne

A fund is set up to raisemoney for Pyne’s appeal. Todonate, visit justiceforjef-fpyne.com.

TO DONATE

Please see SCHOOL, A6

Please see PYNE, A6

Please see TRASH, A8

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release. “I believe in thisproject and will cham-pion the program, butverification of the pub-lic’s support needs to beshown by attending thistour and discussion.”Huron Valley Schools

Superintendent Jim Bak-er suggested a partner-ship between the districtand township to save thenewer gymwhile raz-ing the rest of the build-ing. The gymwould beoperated byHuron Val-ley Recreation and usedfor school and commu-nity functions. The dis-

trict would also keep thesurrounding land, whichcould be used for events,as well.But district officials

don’t want to incur anyupkeep costs, part of thereason it is demolish-ing the building in thefirst place. An estimat-ed $150,000 is needed totransform the gym intoa standalone structure.In addition to the conver-sion costs, the buildingwill require annual main-tenance.Hamill said the town-

ship can’t afford thosecosts on its own, and he’shoping the community asa whole will support theproject.

“This needs to be a jointventure of the athleticcommunity, the businesscommunity and privateindividuals with the sup-port of the township gov-ernment,” he said. “Shar-ing is a community wordand that is how the suc-cess of this awesomeproject will come to fru-ition.”The Highland Township

Board of Trustees has toapprove such a venture,as well.Township ClerkMary

McDonell said her under-standing is that thetownship would not getinvolved financially at all.Hamill has “made it

clear to me the townshipwill not be putting anymoney into it,” McDonellsaid. “I’d love to see themsave that gym. I think it’sa great idea.”The school board set a

Feb. 1 deadline for thetownship to indicate itsplans for the old gym, soa decision on what thetownship plans to do isexpected at that Jan. 30meeting. If the supportfor saving that part ofthe structure is absent,Hamill said the gymwillfall victim of the wreck-ing ball.“So bring your positive

thinking caps and let’sjoin together to make thisa reality,” Hamill said.“We need people readyto pitch in with all theresources they are will-ing to donate.”

[email protected](248) 685-1507, ext. 226Twitter: @MilfordTimes

(MT) LOCAL NEWS online at hometownlife.comA6 Hometown Weeklies | Thursday, January 24, 2013

SCHOOLContinued from page A1

Read what othershave to say athometownlife.com

Photo galleries athometownlife.com

Prosecutors said Jef-frey Pyne’s frustrationwith his mother’s condi-tion and its effects on thefamily drove him tomur-der. Bernie Pyne, howev-er, maintains that his sondeeply loved his moth-er and would never havehurt her. He’s steadfast inhis belief that detectivesfailed to thoroughly andproperly investigate thecase, and that the killer isstill at large.And the jurywhich

returned the guilty ver-dict “screwed up,” he said.

“The jury got thiswrong,” Bernie Pynesaid. “They convictedJeffrey on no evidence,they filled in the blanks,crossed the T’s and dot-ted the I’s for the prose-cution.”The trial and its out-

come have taken unimag-inable tolls, he said,draining him financially,emotionally, physically.Once a deeply religiousman, Bernie Pyne saidhis faith has been severe-ly compromised. And thejustice system—whichhe once believed in—failed him, he said, add-ing, “Every day, I still say‘This can’t be real.’”Yet Bernie Pyne isn’t

seeking sympathy. Whathe’s seeking is an appeal— and help from the thou-sands of people who haveoutwardly expressedtheir support for Jef-frey. To raise funds topay anticipated legalbills should an appeal begranted, he set up a web-site justiceforjeffpyne.com.Asking for financial

assistance isn’t easy, Ber-

nie Pyne said, but he can’tgive up on his son. “If allthe people who have com-mented favorably (onblogs, websites, mediareports, etc.) that Jeffreydidn’t do this would justgive $5, we’d be in prettygood shape,” he said. “Wecan get this kid a new tri-al.”He said it’s also possi-

ble Jeffrey Pyne couldbe declared indigent andhave an attorney appoint-ed for him by the court ifhe earns an appeal.Jeffrey Pyne was repre-

sented by Grand Rapids-based attorney and fami-ly friend James Champi-on in the trial that beganinmid-November. It wasChampion’s first murdertrial.Bernie Pyne said Cham-

pion “worked as hard ashe could on the case.”“He put so much effort

into this case,” he said.“He believed in Jeffreyand put on the best casehe could.”

[email protected](248) 685-1507, ext. 261Twitter: @awingblad


AILEEN WINGBLAD

Along with family members and other supporters, Bernie Pyne sits in court last monthduring the murder trial of his son Jeffrey Pyne.

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Volume 142Number 8

PRICE: $1 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013 • hometownlife.com

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTSTAKE NURSING CAREERS

FOR A TEST DRIVECLASSIFIED, SECTION B

Go to hometownlife.com to win tickets

to seeSesame Street Live– Elmo Makes Musicat the Fox Theatre

FacebookpageAnyone who likes to

keep tabs on the HuronValley area shouldcheck out our localMilford Times Facebookpage.We will use the new

Facebook page to listlinks to school, com-munity and municipalnews and happenings,too. And we invite ourreaders to use the pageas an easy way to keepin touch.If you have a story

idea, news tip or even asuggestion or two, visitus on Facebook andfeel free to share whatis on your mind.The Milford Times

Facebook page canbe found at www.facebook.com/Milford-Times.

Snow problemThe Road Com-

mission for OaklandCounty remindsresidents and busi-ness owners that it isillegal under Michiganlaw to shovel or plowsnow or ice onto anyroad or highway, orto deposit snow on aroad or road shoulderin such a way that itblocks motorists’ viewsof traffic. Doing so is amisdemeanor punish-able by a fine of upto $100 and/or a jailsentence of as long as90 days.

Eat for KurtzTavern 131 on the

south side of theVillage of Milford ishosting a fundraiserfor Kurtz Elementarytoday. A portion of theday’s total sales will bedonated back to theschool. The restaurantis located at 131 S.Milford Road.

Paddle onEver wonder how

people stand up ona board and paddlethrough the water?Here’s your chance totry it yourself.Huron Valley Rec-

reation is hosting anintroductory standup paddle board classon Sunday, Feb. 3,10:30 a.m. to noonat the Lakeland HighSchool lap pool. Getthe basics and learnthe latest techniqueswhile building skills,balance and intervaltraining.Register online at

www.huronvalleyrec.com using course No.2622.

Milford officials say localguidelines on medicalmarijuana activities are justmonths away.


More than four years after votersapproved the use of medical mari-juana inMichigan— and after two-plus years of extendedmoratori-ums that prohibit it inMilford—

local ordinances governingmedi-cal marijuana-related activities inthe village and the rest of the town-ship are expected to be ready thisspring.“We are very close,” said Randy

Sapelak, Village ofMilford build-ing official.

Ongoing discussion at the vil-lage’s and township’s PlanningCommission tables, as well asefforts by Village Attorney Jenni-fer Elowsky and planning consul-tant Nick Lomako, will likely result

New medical marijuana rulesexpected this spring for MilfordTownship moratorium expires, commissioners to discuss tonight


Who knew nibbling on pot roast, pizzaand doughnuts could make such a posi-tive impact on the community?It can, if you’re at Bakers ofMilford

next Thursday. The restaurant and ban-quet center hosts the annual Taste ofthe Valley, where guests can samplesome of the delicacies from asmany as20 area restaurants.The fundraiser benefits Huron Valley

Youth Assistance,Don Green, Milford Township super-

visor andmember of the youth assis-tance board, said he expects Taste ofthe Valley to be one of the best everthis year. In addition to the food, there’splenty of opportunities to walk awaywith some swag.“We have a lot of donations coming

in,” Green said. Area car dealershipshave stepped up, offering everythingfrom car detailing to oil changes. Oth-er items include time with a person-al trainer, hand-made bracelets fromGreen’s wife and a fly-fishing trip.Some items will be raffled off and oth-

Just a bite,please

Annual Taste ofthe Valley supports

at-risk youth


Adam Gibb, head cook at the Red DogSaloon in Milford, shows off a “Frannie”burger and half order of onion rings, oneof the more popular items at the eatery.The Red Dog is among the participants innext week’s Taste of the Valley fundraiser,which benefits Huron Valley Youth As-sistance.


Jeff Pyne reacts as Oakland County Circuit Judge Leo Bowman sentences him to 20-60 years in prisonfor killing his mother.


Maintaining his innocenceand asking the court former-cy, leniency and compassion,convicted killer Jeffrey Pynewas sentenced Tuesday to 20-60 years in prison for themur-der of hismother, Ruth Pyne.As he addressed the court

prior to sentencing, a some-times tearful Pyne said therewas “a complete lack of evi-dence to connect me with thiscrime,” and said his familyneeds him home to “heal andmove on from this tragedy.”“Hopefully, one day the

truth will be made known andI will be acquitted,” he said.Thanking his family and

supporters for standingbehind him, Pyne said, “I loveyou all verymuch and lookforward to the day we againare back together.”Oakland County Circuit

Judge Leo Bowman, howev-er, said there was no causeto throw out the jury’s sec-ond-degree conviction— or tohand down a sentence outsideestablished guidelines.

“There is no substantial orcompelling reason to deviatefrom the sentencing range,”Bowman said.

Pyne gets 20-60 yearsfor killing hismother

Bernie Pyne reads his statement to Judge Leo Bowman. He hasmaintained all along that his son is innocent.

Please see TASTE, A3

Please see MARIJUANA, A3

Please see PYNE, A11

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Submit calendar items in writing by 5 p.m.Friday to [email protected] to beincluded in our next edition.

RELAY FOR LIFE KICKOFFDate and time: Thursday, Jan. 31, 5:30p.m. registration, program starts at 6:15p.m.Location: Bakers of Milford, 2025 MilfordRoad in MilfordDescription: It’s time to start gettingorganized for the 2013 Milford/HighlandRelay for Life. Learn more about the event,American Red Cross and sign up a team.This year’s event is May 4-5 at Milford HighSchool.For more information: Contact MaryKraft at (517) 223-3453 or [email protected]

HVYBSL REGISTRATIONDate and time: As soon as possibleLocation: Register with Huron ValleyRecreationDescription: Registration is now open forthe 2013 season with Huron Valley YouthBaseball and Softball League. There are

divisions for age 3 through high school.Register online, at the Duck Lake Center oreither the Milford or Lakeland Pool and Fit-ness Center. Coaches needed, as well.For more information:www.hvybsl.com

SPAGHETTI DINNERDate and time: Friday, Feb. 1, 5-7 p.m.Location:Milford Senior Center, 1150Atlantic St., MilfordDescription: Join in for homemade meator marinara spaghetti sauce, garlic bread,salad, beverage and dessert. $7. Proceedsbenefit the Milford Senior Center.For more information: Contact NancyHinzmann at (248) 685-9008

HVCA GALLERYDate and time: Opening reception Feb. 1,7-9; gallery through Feb. 23Location: Huron Valley Council for TheArts, 205 W. Livingston Road, HighlandDescription: Photographer Amy Lockard isfeatured with her Upper Peninsula natureshots.For more information:www.huronval-

leyarts.org

TRY STAND UP PADDLE BOARDINGDate and time: Sunday, Feb. 3, 10:30 a.m.to noonLocation: Lakeland High School pools andfitness lap pool, Bogie Lake Road in WhiteLakeDescription: Huron Valley Recreation in-troductory class teaches the basics and new-est techniques of stand up paddle boarding.Learn skills, balance and interval training.For more information: Register online atwww.huronvalleyrec.com, course # 2622

TASTE OF THE VALLEYDate and time: Thursday, Feb. 7, 5-8 p.m.Location: Bakers of Milford, S. MilfordRoad in MilfordDescription: Taste samples from arearestaurants, all under one roof, and helpsupport Huron Valley Youth Assistance. $20per person in advance or $25 at the door.Cash bar. Silent auction. Raffle.For more information: Tickets at High-land Township or Milford Township offices,or Huron Valley Youth Assistance office inthe Apollo Center. (248) 676-8492.

(MT)LOCAL NEWSonline at hometownlife.com A11Hometown Weeklies | Thursday, January 31, 2013

Pyne, 23, was foundguilty in theMay 2011killing. Ruth Pyne, whohad a lengthy history ofmental illness, was blud-geoned and stabbed inthe garage of the fam-ily’s Highland Town-ship home. Prosecutorssaid Pyne’s anger overhis mother’s illness andits affects on the familydrove him tomurder. Hisconvictionwas based oncircumstantial evidence,including an alibi thatprosecutors said didn’thold up and blisters on hishandswhich could havebeen caused by repeated-ly swinging a two-by-fourboard or similar object—believed to have causedmassive injuries to RuthPyne’s head. Amurderweaponwas never found.Bowman acknowledged

receiving “numerous let-ters” and cards on Pyne’sbehalf, noting “98 per-cent” of that correspon-dence questioned wheth-er prosecutors presentedenough evidence to war-rant a conviction. Howev-er, he said he believed thejury returned a just ver-dict last month in findingthe former University ofMichigan student guilty.“Twelve jurors in this

case heard the evidencepresented against Mr.Pyne. They were con-vinced beyond a reason-able doubt that Mr. Pynecommitted the offense

they found him guilty of,”Bowman said.“I can’t say that the jury

was wrong,” he added.Bowman noted a short

“window of opportuni-ty” to commit themurderand no evidence that any-one else had been in thePyne house around thetime of the killing.He also referenced a

letter he received follow-ing the verdict from Lin-da Jarvis, Ruth Pyne’ssister, which he said“caused the court pause.”In the letter, Jarvis said

Pyne needs to admit to

the crime and “deal withthe anger and rage thatcaused such a horribleact. It is not safe for himto be free.”Jarvis said what she

wants is “for Jeffrey toget the counseling he soseriously needs.”Prior to Bowman’s

decision, Oakland Coun-ty Assistant ProsecutorJohn Skrzynski —whotried the case— recom-mended a sentence of 221⁄2years to 40 years, notingthe “horrible violence”afflicted on Ruth Pyne.“This was his mother he

did it to. It was so enor-mously violent and heart-less,” Skrzynski said.Skrzynski did, however,

acknowledge the pain thefamily has endured. “It’sa sadmatter and a terri-ble matter. A lot of peopleare grieving. Neverthe-less, there’s no questionit was a heinous crime.There’s no question it wasa violent crime,” he said.HeatherWayne of the

Department of Correc-tions Probation Depart-ment had recommend-ed amaximum sentenceof 60 years, saying it will

“assure the communitysafety for an additional20 years.” Because Pynetakes no responsibilityfor the killing, she said,“the chances of him beingrehabilitated at this pointare zero.”Pyne’s father, Bernie

Pyne, and his maternalaunt, Susan Showerman,read statements in courtfrom themselves as wellas Pyne’s 12-year-old sis-ter andmaternal grand-mother—Ruth Pyne’smother. All expressedtheir belief that he is nota killer.

Following the sentenc-ing, Bernie Pyne saidhe is “disheartened anddisgusted” with the jus-tice system, and said theinvestigation — and thetrial — were mishan-dled.“This is a travesty. I’m

bewildered, confused,”he said. “I know one thingfor sure. My son did nothurt his mother.”The conviction was

“by use of a story basedon hunches and specula-tion. Somewhere in themix, the presumption ofinnocence and definitionof reasonable doubt waslost.”Helen Cudnohufsky,

Jeffrey Pyne’s pater-nal grandmother, agreed.“He wouldn’t hurt any-body. We know he didn’tdo it,” she said.Bernie Pyne said “a

coward and amonster”—not his son— killed RuthPyne.“The judge himself

said to expect an appealbecause he knows it was amess in (court),” he said.Efforts are under way

to seek an appeal, Ber-nie Pyne said, and a web-site is set up to acceptdonations for legal bills.Donations can bemadewith credit or debit cardaccounts through thewebsite www.justicefor-jeffpyne.com or bymailto Gail Pyne, P.O. Box533, Fenton, MI 48430




Jeff Pyne looks toward his family as an Oakland County Sheriff’s deputy gets ready to lead him out of the court roomfollowing the sentencing. Defense attorney James Champion stands to the left.

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Many people arewrongly rejected whenthey apply for SocialSecurity Disability ben-efits. Money was takenout of their paychecksfor Social Securitytaxes to ensure that theywould receive disabilitybenefits if they could nolonger work full-time. Sadly, thegovernment denies approxi-mately 60% of those who applyfor disability benefits.

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Attorneys Bieske and Alfonsican often make a winning differ-ence at the application stage.And, if an appeal is necessarythey have won several hundredcases before a court date iseven set.

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In addition to practicing onlySocial Security disability lawattorney Bieske has written abook for attorneys about the

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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGATTENTION ALL VILLAGE RESIDENTS

The Village of Milford Planning Commission will hold a PUBLICHEARING on Thursday, February 14, 2013 at 7:30 p.m., in theMilford Civic Center, 1100 Atlantic Street, Milford, Michigan 48381.

The purpose of the PUBLIC HEARING is to consider proposed zoning text amendmentsto Sec. 94-377,Wireless Communication Facilities.

The proposed language will address changes required by recent amendments to theMichigan Zoning Enabling Act (PA 110 of 2006) to ensure the timely review of wirelesscommunication equipment and towers, and to require all new tower applications to besubject to special condition use permit procedures. The proposed amendment will replacethe existing language in its entirety.

Proposed ordinance language is on file in the Office of theVillage Clerk. Public comments,either oral or written, are welcome at the Public Hearing.

Physically challenged persons needing assistance or aid should contact the Village Officesduring regular working hours seventy-two (72) hours prior to the meeting.

Deborah S. Frazer, CMCMilford Village Clerk

Publish: January 31, 2013 ATOE8793928_3c3.5


Accused I-96 corridorshooter Raulie Casteel iscompetent to stand tri-al, a district court judgeruled Jan. 31, but he willbe undergoing addition-al forensic evaluationregarding the question ofcriminal responsibilityfor the string of incidentsin a four county area lastOctober.Judge BrianMacKen-

zie of 52-1 District Courtin Novi based his deci-sion to deem Casteel com-petent after reviewingan evaluation from theMichigan Department ofCommunity Health’s Cen-ter for Forensic Psychia-try. Results show Casteel

understands the charg-es against him and canassist his counsel in hisdefense.Further evaluation, how-

ever, could showCasteel isnot criminally responsiblefor the shootings becausehe’s legally insane.Casteel, a 43-year-old

Wixom resident, faces 60felony charges includ-ing assault with intentto murder for a string ofshootings inWixom andCommerce Township lastOctober.He also faces terrorism

charges and felony weap-ons charges for shootingsin Livingston, Shiawas-see and Ingham counties,filed by the state attorneygeneral. On Jan. 30, a Liv-ingston County deemedCasteel competent for tri-al in those cases, based onthe same forensic evalu-ation.Most of the 24 shoot-

ings linked to Casteel anda 9mm handgun were atmotorists. One victimwas injured.

OnFeb. 4,MacKenzieorderedCasteel’s compe-tency reports sealed untilthe trial concludes. BothAssistant Prosecutor Jef-freyHall andCasteel’sdefense attorneyCharlesGroh stated in court lastweek that the report isprivileged communica-tion, protected by themen-tal health code. At thattime,MacKenzie had saidhewasn’t convinced therecord shouldn’t bemadepublic andwas “very trou-bled” by the concept ofsuppressing informationthatwas already admittedin court.Casteel is in the Oak-

land County Jail. He’sscheduled for a prelimi-nary exam in 52-1 DistrictCourt onMarch 1 at 9 a.m.


(MT) PUBLIC SAFETY online at hometownlife.comA10 Hometown Weeklies | Thursday, February 7, 2013

Investigation continues for Milfordbreak-inMilford police continue to investigate a Jan. 15 home

invasion in the 2000 block ofW. Dawson.Items reported stolen from the home include a large

screen TV, .22 caliber semi-automatic rifle, jewelrybox, cameras, generator and video gaming system.According to reports, one of the homeowners discov-

ered the break-in at around 6 p.m. when she returnedfromwork. Investigators believe the culprits enteredthe home through an unlocked back door and leftthrough the garage.

Trouble at McD’sMilford police were called to theMcDonald’s restau-

rant twice recently to check out drivers in the drive-thru suspected to be under the influence.According to reports, one case involved a 17-year-old

Milford boy, called in by an employee who was wor-ried about his ability to drive based on his behavior atthe drive-thru window. The caller said the teen wasn’tmaking sense and couldn’t count his change. Whenpolice arrived, they noted the driver had bloodshot,glassy eyes and slurred speech. He also was unsteadyon his feet, police said.The boy reportedly allowed a vehicle search by

police, which turned upmarijuana, vodka and two pre-scription bottles. One bottle had no label and containedgreen pills with a Batman symbol on them, and theother, prescribed to another person, containedMetaxa-lone— used as amuscle relaxant and pain reliever.The boy refused a preliminary breath test. A search

warrant was obtained for a blood draw, and the boywas later released to his mother’s custody. The case isopen pending lab and blood test results.The other case was called in my anotherMcDon-

ald’s employee who reportedly claimed to get a “con-tact buzz” frommarijuana smoke in a vehicle when itsdriver rolled down the window at the drive-through.The employee also said the driver was acting strange-ly. She told police she stalled the driver until policearrived by telling him his fries weren’t ready.Police on the scene said the car had a very strong

odor of marijuana, and when questioned about it thedriver told the officer that it was from a bag that melt-ed on his tailpipe. When asked if he hadmarijuana, thedriver reportedly handed some over. Police confiscat-ed a roach, about 15 grams from a duffle bag, rollingpapers and a one-hitter pipe.The driver, a 30-year-old Highlandman, reportedly

admitted smoking about 15minutes earlier and passedfield sobriety tests.He was arrested and booked, then eventually

released from custody after posting a $200 bond.

Teen with drugsA 17-year-old Commerce boy faces charges for

possession of marijuana, paraphernalia and tobac-co, speeding and violating conditions of his driver’slicense following a traffic stop at around 10:45 p.m. onSaturday.The police officer who pulled over the teen for

speeding on N.Milford Road reportedly smelledmar-ijuana when speaking with him. The teen and his pas-senger denied having any, and the driver admittedsmoking earlier. He passed sobriety tests, reportsstate.A vehicle search turned upmarijuana shake and

tobacco shake in the center console, and a prescriptionbottle containing what the teen said was Ritalin, pre-scribed to him. The teen was eventually released to hisparents’ custody.

Drinking, gun violationsA traffic stop inMilford for speeding and ignoring a

stop sign and red light led to the arrest of a 49-year-oldCommerceman on Friday, just before midnight.Reports state the arresting officer smelled alcohol

on theman, who admitted drinking a few beers at anearby restaurant. After reportedly failing field sobri-ety tests and registering a blood alcohol content of .10percent based on results of a preliminary breath test,he was taken into custody on suspicion of drunkendriving. A loaded handgun was confiscated from hisvehicle, resulting in additional citations for failing todisclose a concealed weapon to an officer, and carry-ing a concealed weapon while intoxicated.Police said during booking theman told them he

drinks close to home so he’s not a danger to others onthe roadway.

—ByAileenWingblad

MILFORD POLICE BRIEFS


Facing 20-60 years inprison for themurder ofhis mother, Jeffrey Pynewill likely wait at least ayear— possibly two—for an appellate court torule whether or not he’llget a new trial.“It will depend on the

panel (of judges), theissues raised,” said Oak-land County ProsecutorJessica Cooper, a formerappellate judge. “I’veseen it take as much asa year and a half, and itcan go even longer thanthat.”In a case that attract-

ed national media atten-tion, including a 48 Hourspiece broadcast a fewweeks ago and a to-be-aired Court TV produc-tion, the 23-year-oldPyne was found guiltyin December of second-degreemurder in thebludgeoning and stabbingdeath of Ruth Pyne.The case also drew

some support from thecommunity, includ-ing numerous lettersreceived by OaklandCounty Circuit Judge LeoBowman, prior to lastweek’s sentencing. The

vast majority of the cor-respondence, Bowmansaid, questioned wheth-er prosecutors present-ed enough evidence— allcircumstantial — to war-rant a conviction.Yet according to Coo-

per, a conviction based oncircumstantial evidenceis more the norm than theexception.Murders most often

occur with no eyewitness-

es, she said.“This was a very tight

circumstantial case,” saidCooper.For the appellate court

to grant Pyne a new tri-al — or exercise its optionto overturn the conviction— requires a “high bur-den to overcome,” Cooperexplained.That burden is dem-

onstrating that errorsoccurred in the trial that

affected its outcome orwere of “constitutionalproportion,” she said.Barring a decision in

his favor from the appel-late court, Pynemustserve theminimum sen-tence of 20 years in pris-on before he’s eligible forparole.


Ruling on new Pyne triallikely at least a year away


Jeff Pyne (left) stands next to his lawyer James Champion as Judge Leo Bowman sentenc-es him to 20-60 years in prison. It likely will be at least a year before a ruling determinesif he will get a new trial.

Accused I-96 shooter competentfor trial for Oakland County cases

AILEEN WINGBLAD

Accused I-96 corridor shooterRaulie Casteel appeared in52-1 District Court Jan. 31for a competency hearing.Though he has been deemedcompetent to stand trial,further forensic evaluationregarding criminal responsi-bility has been ordered.

Check us out on the Web every day at hometownlife.com

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The offices of the Village of Milford and Charter Townshipof Milford will be closed Monday, February 18, 2013 inobservance of President’s Day.

DEBORAH S FRAZER, CMC HOLLY BRANDT, CMCMILFORD VILLAGE CLERK CHARTERTOWNSHIP

OF MILFORD

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A portion of the profits from this show will be used to support the YouthScholarship fund of the Michigan Society Sons of the American Revolution.

No smoking or alcoholic beverages allowed in the show area.

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Judging.$3.00 Fee Per Entry

35th Model Car and Toy Fairpresented by

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Documents

jeffrey pyne wasdriven

fate of jeffrey pyne

yearold son

angry killing

burwood court

yearold daughter

youin time

food onthe shelves