GUILTY MI - Chelsea Bruck, 22, Frenchtown Twp., 26 Oct 2014 #7

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Body found in Monroe County identified as Chelsea Bruck
A body found in a field in Monroe County on Friday is that of missing woman Chelsea Bruck, who was last seen at a Halloween party in Frenchtown Township six months ago, the Monroe County Sheriff's Office said Saturday night.

Bruck's handmade Halloween costume, which was found on April 5 at a vacant industrial site in Flat Rock, and other evidence helped police connect the dots to determine it was a homicide, said Monroe County Sheriff Dale Malone. Dental records confirmed the victim's identity.

Suspect arrested in Chelsea Bruck murder case
A 27-year-old Newport man has been arrested and will be charged with open murder in the death of Chelsea Bruck, Monroe County Sheriff Dale Malone said Friday night.

The Sheriff’s Office made the arrest Friday after Michigan State Police crime lab provided evidence that connected the 27-year-old Newport man to the Bruck case, Malone said.


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Adding links to some of the previous posts/videos/articles that may be useful.

Judge concludes jury instructions. we are officially on Verdict Watch now: http://www.websleuths.com/forums/sh...own-Twp-26-Oct-2014-6&p=13378883#post13378883

First notice that we have a verdict: http://www.websleuths.com/forums/sh...own-Twp-26-Oct-2014-6&p=13379318#post13379318

Daniel Clay, guilty of Felony Murder! http://www.websleuths.com/forums/sh...own-Twp-26-Oct-2014-6&p=13379377#post13379377

Tweet from https://twitter.com/AlexMesterBlade
Quick note... In MI, felony murder is a form of 1st-deg. murder. Daniel Clay faces life in prison with no parole for killing

Articles:
Guilty of Felony Murder and Concealing a Body: http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/...-concealing-body-in-chelsea-bruck-murder-case

Video includes bits of Clay's testimony: http://www.wxyz.com/news/jury-deliberations-begin-in-chelsea-bruck-murder-trial

Video from after verdict announced: https://youtu.be/VOjyAmxXz6M

Prosecutor (video) after verdict: http://www.13abc.com/content/news/Jury-finds-Daniel-Clay-guilty-in-murder-of-Chelsea-Bruck-422620264.html

Transcript of Clay's interrogation, very long but worth reading:
http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/chelsea-bruck-murder-case-man-denies-seeing-her-then-says-he-accidentally-killed-her-during-sex

Article after trial:
http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2017/05/18/Despite-Chelsea-Bruck-verdict-Maybee-still-in-pain.html

People article after verdict:
http://people.com/crime/chelsea-bruck-case-daniel-clay-convicted-murder/

sentencing on July 13, 1:15 pm.
 
This case stands out for me as having the most unbelievable, ridiculous, incredulous defense in light of undeniable evidence.
 
This case stands out for me as having the most unbelievable, ridiculous, incredulous defense in light of undeniable evidence.

I still can't figure out a reason that makes sense for not having taken the plea deal. Surely he did not think there was a chance in **** to believe he would be found innocent or get a long long time in jail/prison.
 
I still can't figure out a reason that makes sense for not having taken the plea deal. Surely he did not think there was a chance in **** to believe he would be found innocent or get a long long time in jail/prison.

So the plea deal was "second degree murder charge that included a 35-year prison sentence" -
http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2017/05...rejects-plea-deal-in-halloween-party-killing/

and now he faces a mandatory life without parole..... Ha, now that's Karma.
 
So the plea deal was "second degree murder charge that included a 35-year prison sentence" -
http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2017/05...rejects-plea-deal-in-halloween-party-killing/

and now he faces a mandatory life without parole..... Ha, now that's Karma.


Yep, Karma bit him in the butt and took out a chunk.

From the article you linked:
The deal was offered Monday by the Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office shortly after a jury of 13 women and one man was seated.

What on earth were they all thinking? Or had they partaken in defense's special blend of koolaid?


And from Monroe News re the plea deal offer:
http://www.monroenews.com/news/20170508/clay-rejected-35-year-deal
Chief Assistant Prosecutor Michael G. Roehrig read aloud the rejected offer on the record but with the jury dismissed for the day. He told Judge White that if Mr. Clay had agreed to plead guilty to second-degree murder, the prosecutor’s office would not have pursued first-degree murder charges.
Defense attorney Russell A. Smith of Temperance stood with Mr. Clay at his side and asked his client aloud several questions regarding the offer. Mr. Clay affirmed that he was offered the deal, but rejected the 35-year plea agreement.
 
Maybe he thought when he went up on the stand he'd convince them it wasn't what it seemed... or plans to appeal and thinks he'll get his sentence reduced or another chance bc of the jury being mostly women? Or he just wanted his chance to get up there and speak instead of just admitting it and being silenced?
Obviously I don't know the answer but am curious to know what he was "thinking... "


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Or maybe they figured he was getting 35 years no matter what, so took the chances on being believed? I honestly don't know if he chose to testify or just blindly followed attorney advice. His stories were not even plausible, in my opinion.

All along, I have felt he may be more comfortable in jail than outside, so he really did not put up any defense. Now he does not have to find a job to support himself, does not have to pay for meals or room-and-board. He at least has a somewhat stable "home" for they rest of his life, rather than bouncing around as a free-loader. All his needs will be taken care of, at no expense to him.

We, who work hard for our money and possessions. as a society have to pay --- and that frustrates me. Prisoners should at least have to do daily work that compensate for their expenses in some way. unfortunately, I don't even have suggestions for how to make them pay their way, at least to a degree.
 
Clay's attorney has already suggested that his client didn't get a fair trial because evidence of Chelsea's "past" could not be used. Jury composition might be an argument for not getting a fair trial, as well. Appeal is probably already in the works.
 
http://www.monroenews.com/news/20170525/clay-to-face-trial-in-home-invasion-case-next-month

Clay to Face Home Invasion Charges (final pretrial June 2, trialexpected to take 3 days, starting June 27 )


“The victim deserves her case to be heard,” said Chief Assistant Prosecutor Michael G. Roehrig

Mr. Roehrig cautioned that he doesn’t anticipate a new trial in the Bruck case and pursuing the sexual assault case not only is for justice for the victim, but a precaution against potential appeals, which could take years.

However, according to her testimony, Mr. Clay returned and barged through the door unannounced. The victim said on the witness stand that he approached her and struck her on the side of the face. She said he then forcibly dragged her by the hair off the couch, removed her clothing, held her down and sexually assaulted her. The victim said Mr. Clay then forced her into the bathtub and turned on the shower. He left the apartment and she called for help.

Assistant Prosecutors Jennifer L. Ewen and Ronald J. Benore Jr. will try the case while Mr. Clay will be represented by Russell A. Smith of Temperance, who defended him in the murder trial.

Circuit Judge Daniel S. White, who presided over the Bruck murder trial, will be on the bench for the second trial.
 
http://www.monroenews.com/news/20170525/clay-to-face-trial-in-home-invasion-case-next-month

Clay to Face Home Invasion Charges (final pretrial June 2, trialexpected to take 3 days, starting June 27 )


“The victim deserves her case to be heard,” said Chief Assistant Prosecutor Michael G. Roehrig

Mr. Roehrig cautioned that he doesn’t anticipate a new trial in the Bruck case and pursuing the sexual assault case not only is for justice for the victim, but a precaution against potential appeals, which could take years.

However, according to her testimony, Mr. Clay returned and barged through the door unannounced. The victim said on the witness stand that he approached her and struck her on the side of the face. She said he then forcibly dragged her by the hair off the couch, removed her clothing, held her down and sexually assaulted her. The victim said Mr. Clay then forced her into the bathtub and turned on the shower. He left the apartment and she called for help.

Assistant Prosecutors Jennifer L. Ewen and Ronald J. Benore Jr. will try the case while Mr. Clay will be represented by Russell A. Smith of Temperance, who defended him in the murder trial.

Circuit Judge Daniel S. White, who presided over the Bruck murder trial, will be on the bench for the second trial.

Oh man!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I hope Monroe covers the next trial as well as this was (though Ohio reporters did the best job). Maybe that one could be live-streamed (without showing the victim, perhaps).
 
Or maybe they figured he was getting 35 years no matter what, so took the chances on being believed? I honestly don't know if he chose to testify or just blindly followed attorney advice. His stories were not even plausible, in my opinion.

All along, I have felt he may be more comfortable in jail than outside
, so he really did not put up any defense. Now he does not have to find a job to support himself, does not have to pay for meals or room-and-board. He at least has a somewhat stable "home" for they rest of his life, rather than bouncing around as a free-loader. All his needs will be taken care of, at no expense to him.

We, who work hard for our money and possessions. as a society have to pay --- and that frustrates me. Prisoners should at least have to do daily work that compensate for their expenses in some way. unfortunately, I don't even have suggestions for how to make them pay their way, at least to a degree.

I agree.

I have a friend who has a cousin and he was sent to jail for a relatively minor drug possession offense and after he got out on probation after a couple years and when he got out it seemed like he purposely did some crazy things to get back in trouble and get back to jail.

It was really strange and was almost like he wanted to get sent back. He stopped going to his probation officer appointments and then drove someone elses car that he did not have permission to drive and took off with it to just drive around. The person called LE of course about his car missing and they pulled him over and found out he was violating his probation and so back he went to finish his original sentence.

My friend thinks he did things on purpose to get sent back because it was the only stable life he had and he had nobody on the outside at all. His parents are dead and his siblings avoid him so he really had nobody from his family that even cared about him.

In a strange way he probably felt that jail life was better for him. He knew he would get sent back if he stopped going to his PO appointments.

I wonder if a lot of other convicts do similar things to go back inside after they try on the outside and just cannot cut it trying to make a normal life living on the outside.
 
I agree.

I have a friend who has a cousin and he was sent to jail for a relatively minor drug possession offense and after he got out on probation after a couple years and when he got out it seemed like he purposely did some crazy things to get back in trouble and get back to jail.

It was really strange and was almost like he wanted to get sent back. He stopped going to his probation officer appointments and then drove someone elses car that he did not have permission to drive and took off with it to just drive around. The person called LE of course about his car missing and they pulled him over and found out he was violating his probation and so back he went to finish his original sentence.

My friend thinks he did things on purpose to get sent back because it was the only stable life he had and he had nobody on the outside at all. His parents are dead and his siblings avoid him so he really had nobody from his family that even cared about him.

In a strange way he probably felt that jail life was better for him. He knew he would get sent back if he stopped going to his PO appointments.

I wonder if a lot of other convicts do similar things to go back inside after they try on the outside and just cannot cut it trying to make a normal life living on the outside.

I sadly would believe it happens more than people think. I've recently learned about the inside of the women's prison here and I was quite amazed at what they had compared to what I always thought. They have holiday "parties ", ways to get their hair and makeup done, dentist and doctor visits, tv, microwave, lounge, games, use of email and phone ( if money to do so), and more I can't think of right now. I'm not trying to get into a discussion of what they deserve/ what they get. But I am amazed at what I found out because I really thought they weren't given much to do.

So like you said, if they have no one and no job/food/house out in the real world, they probably are better off, in their mind, with somewhere to live and be fed. Sad.


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Pretrial rescheduled for June 16. Trial set for June 27, expected to take 2-3 days (home invasion/sexual assault on June 9, 2016)

http://www.monroenews.com/news/20170602/clay-pretrial-hearing-set-for-june-16

Appearing relaxed and smiling while speaking quietly to his attorney, convicted murderer Daniel A. Clay was in court again Friday, this time shackled and wearing a striped jail uniform instead of a shirt, tie and dress pants like he wore during his trial.
 
Convicted murderer Daniel A. Clay is seeking a new trial or at least a reduction in charges by stating in court documents that the jury found him guilty last month of felony murder based on assumptions and insufficient evidence regarding sexual assault.

http://www.monroenews.com/news/20170612/clay-seeks-new-trial-or-reduced-charges


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

good grief .... when does the family get to move on away from the constant turmoil and rehashing?
 

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