GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A suspect has been arraigned in the April 7 homicide of a 60-year-old man in Grand Rapids.
Sharieff Massey, 45, is accused of killing Alevandro Williams on April 7. He appeared in 61st District Court Tuesday for a probable cause conference.
During the conference, Massey, who is currently represented by public defenders, made a point to ask for different counsel, while publicly stating his innocence. He addressed the judge hearing the case:
“I do not think that this counsel is going to be appropriate for this situation," Massey said. "I want to be able to direct my own questions to the witnesses supposedly saying that I killed my uncle or had something to do with murdering my uncle, which I had nothing to do with, and I want the opportunity to be able to directly question each individual who claims to be a witness, on those charges... if possible, if necessary myself.”
Officers from the Grand Rapids Police Department were called to the area of Oak Park Drive SE around 7:20 a.m. on April 7, where they discovered Williams' body.
Massey, who is Williams' nephew and was temporarily living at the home, was determined to be the only person home at the time of Williams' death. In addition, court documents say there were inconsistencies in Massey's story from that day.
Police have charged Massey with an open count of murder due to his interview and evidence from the scene.
According to a probable cause document by GRPD, Williams' death was later determined to be a homicide. The cause of death is blunt force trauma.
A preliminary examination is scheduled for July 11.
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