Tagged: I-96 shooter

PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) - The lawyer for a man charged in a series of shootings on and off Interstate 96 in Michigan says his client will undergo an independent psychiatric examination.

Attorney Doug Mulkoff told Oakland County Circuit Judge Denise Langford Morris on Thursday that he was in the process of arranging the evaluation for Raulie Casteel.

Langford Morris approved a request for a pre-trial date, now set for May 30.

Casteel faces 60 charges, including attempted murder, linked to shootings in Commerce Township and Wixom.

Two dozen random shootings occurred last fall in a four-county area. One man was hurt.

In a separate but related case, the Michigan attorney general's office is prosecuting Casteel on terrorism and other charges in Livingston County.

Defense attorneys say Casteel is married with no criminal history.

For 11 days in October, people along the I-96 corridor were on high alert as motorists experienced a rash of shootings. Remarkably 0nly one person was wounded.

Police nabbed the man they say was responsible for the shootings, and today 43 year-old Raulie Casteel was found to be fit to stand trial in Livingston Co.

Casteel faces a separate set of charges in Oakland County, and the Attorney General's office brought a terrorism charge against him.

Casteel's defense lawyers say he is college-educated with no criminal history.

The man suspected of firing shots at more than 20 vehicles along I-96 and nearby roads faces a charge of terrorism and other felonies.

State Attorney General Bill Schuette filed the charges Thursday.

43-year-old Raulie Casteel could face life in prison if convicted. He also faces 60 counts in Oakland County related to the shooting spree.

Joy Yearout is a spokesperson for the attorney general. She said the charges are meant to send a message.

“Certainly terrorism is an unusual charge, but the facts of this case warrant it,” Yearout said.

The attorney general is consolidating cases related to shootings in Ingham, Livingston, and Shiawassee counties.

One person was injured in the shootings.

The man accused of shooting up cars along I-96 in four different counties in Michigan will be prosecuted by the Michigan Attorney General's office.

Raulie Casteel, 43 of Wixom, is accused of shooting at 24 vehicles along roadways in Oakland, Livingston, Ingham and Shiawassee counties last October.

He's now being held in jail in Oakland County where he's been charged.

He was also charged with the crimes in Livingston County.

No charges have been filed yet in Ingham and Shiawasee counties.

The Detroit Free Press has more on why the AG's office is leading the prosecution:

"I believe it is beneficial for the prosecution of this case and for the convenience of the witnesses to have a single source of prosecution,” Livingston County Prosecutor David Morse said in a release issued today by state Attorney General Bill Schuette. “It will provide a consistent approach to the case that is not possible with multiple jurisdictions handling multiple cases."

Schuette’s Criminal Division will review evidence collected by the multi-jurisdictional task force and make a decision about what additional criminal charges should be filed, if any, according to the release.

I-96 shooter suspect to undergo competency exam

The man accused of randomly shooting at motorists along Interstate 96 made his his first appearances in court yesterday. Raulie Wayne Casteel was arrested last week for the shootings.

More from the Detroit Free Press:

Making his first physical appearances in court, the 43-year-old father from Wixom had pre-examination conferences Wednesday in district courts in Howell and Novi. He faces numerous felony charges, including assault with intent to murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, carrying a weapon with unlawful intent and intentionally firing a firearm from a vehicle.

Neither of Casteel's attorneys would comment after the hearings.

Chrysler to announce new jobs today

More signs of recovery for Chrysler. From the Detroit Free Press:

Chrysler will provide more evidence today that its recovery is in full swing as it details plans to invest $238 million in three Michigan plants and add about 1,250 jobs so it can ramp up production of its engines and pickups.

Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne, Detroit Mayor Dave Bing and UAW Vice President General Holiefield are scheduled to be at Chrysler's Mack Avenue Engine I plant this morning for the announcement.

Firearm deer hunting season starts today

Hunters are taking to their favorite spots as firearm deer season begins today.

Michigan Radio's Steve Carmody reports, fewer licenses are being handed out this season:

The day before the start of firearms deer season is usually the busiest day at retailers who sell hunting licenses. The state has reduced the number of antlerless deer licenses because of a viral disease, known as Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease or EHD.   The disease has been present in Michigan for decades.   But this year, weather conditions led to an unusually early outbreak of the disease.

State officials say virus has killed more than 13,000 deer this fall in more than 30 Michigan counties.

I-96 shooting suspect expected to be arraigned on more charges today

The 43 year old Wixom man was arraigned in Livingston Co. yesterday on several felony charges. Today, MLive reports Raulie Casteel is expected to face more charges in Oakland County:

It's been confirmed that Raulie Casteel, the suspected I-96 corridor shooter, will be arraigned on additional charges in Oakland County's 52nd District Court in Wixom today.

Court officials said the hearing is tentatively scheduled for 1:30 p.m.

MLive reports Casteel could face charge in all four counties the shootings took place in, and that federal officials are also considering charges because several shootings took place on an  interstate highway.

The race for Michigan's 1st Congressional District continues

The latest tallies show that 2,328 votes separate incumbent Congressman Dan Benishek (R) and his challenger Gary McDowell (D). Less than 1 percent of the total votes cast.

The 1st Congressional District represents people in Michigan's U.P. and parts of the northern lower peninsula.

From Interlochen Public Radio's Linda Stephan:

A spokesman for Gary McDowell (D) says the campaign will decide as soon as tonight whether to request a recount in the race for the 1st Congressional District. McDowell has not conceded the race – though incumbent Congressman Dan Benishek (R) has declared victory.

McDowell Campaign Manager Zack Knowling says the Democrat won’t concede until the official numbers are in from a state canvassing.

"This is a very close race and we believe we owe it to all the voters of northern Michigan to ensure every vote is counted," said Knowling.

There is no automatic recount for U.S. House races.  If McDowell wants a recount, he’ll have to pay for it: $10 per precinct.

Michigan State House votes on leadership

Representative Jase Bolger (R-Marshall) was narrowly re-elected last Tuesday and yesterday, members of the State House voted to keep him on as Speaker of the House for two more years.

Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills) will take over as state House minority leader in January. Former House Minority Leader Richard Hammel (D-Mount Morris Twsp.) will not return next year due to term limits.

The Wixom man thought to be responsible for a series of shootings along the I-96 corridor was charged Wednesday with multiple weapons-related felonies.

From the Detroit Free Press:

Raulie Wayne Casteel, 43, was arraigned in 53rd District Court on charges of assault with a dangerous weapon, carrying a weapon with unlawful intent and intentionally discharging a weapon from a motor vehicle, and on three counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.