Jeffrey Ziegler Who Shot At 14-Year Old Brennan Walker Found Guilty of Two Charges
In April 2018, in the Detroit suburb of Rochester Hills, Brennan Walker missed his school bus. His mom had taken his cell phone from him the night before, so he could not call or get a map to school. He attempted to follow the path of the school bus but became lost. He went to a house, rung the bell, and Jeffrey Ziegler grabbed a loaded shotgun. Brennan ran, and Jeffrey took a shot at Brennan’s back. Fortunately, he missed.
For more background on the case, see the post at this link.
Ziegler was charged with assault with intent to murder and felony firearms. The jury was given instructions on a lesser charge of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder. It took the jury three hours of deliberation to find Ziegler guilty of the lesser charge. It carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison. Ziegler was also found guilty of possessing a firearm in the commission of a felony. which has a mandatory sentence of two years in prison.
If Zeigler’s previous incidents with the law are allowed and considered at his sentencing hearing, he might receive a stiff sentence. In 2004, police in Warren, Michigan arrested Zeigler on accusations that he shot “at a car in a road rage incident on I-696,” Fox 2 Detroit reported. He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor in that case and was placed on one year probation, fines, and court costs.
Sentencing is set for Nov. 13 before Oakland County Circuit Judge Wendy Potts.
During trial, Zeigler took the stand in his own defense. He alleged that his intent was to fire a warning shot upward rather than to hurt Brennan. Zeigler also testified that he stumbled on the wet pavement and fired before he wanted to. Surveillance video contradicted Zeigler’s testimony.
Posted on 10/15/2018, in Cases and tagged Brennan Walker, convicted, Jeffrey Zeigler, trial. Bookmark the permalink. 21 Comments.
The greatest threat to Black males in America has always been (and continues to be) White males. Coincidentally, the greatest threat to White men in America (although most would beg to differ) is White males. Hmm…
LikeLiked by 4 people
xmatman,
That is true. Last night I caught a series on HLN about Ted Bundy. Seems like the greatest threat to White women in America are White males.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for the update. This was a case that enraged me and I believe he is a violent racist with the attitude he can do anything he wants. Seems to have a temper and needs anger management. I hope he goes to prison for a long time as a warning to other racists. Hugs
LikeLiked by 3 people
Scottie,
You hit the proverbial nail on the head when addressing Ziegler’s attitude. Who thinks it’s okay to fire a “warning shot” at anyone running away? People don’t do that to animals.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Assault with intent to murder? How is this NOT an Attempted Murder case? I’m glad Brennan was able to get away and survive. We don’t need another George Zimmerman running around acting like he can do whatever he wants.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I agree. I do not understand why the judge felt it necessary to offer the lesser charge. Seems to me it was a way for the jury to not have to find a firefighter guilty of the higher charge. Hugs
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yeah, I think they don’t want to punish him all that much even though the video forced their hands.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ospreyshire,
It seems to be the norm now that juries are given instructions for lesser charges. Prosecutors don’t challenge it because the finding of guilt for a lesser charge might prevent a hung-jury and a do-over, or outright not guilty verdict. At times, it is directed at what prosecutors proved beyond a reasonable doubt. Since Ziegler did not shout out words that he was going to kill Brennan, the jury was required to consider Ziegler’s testimony along with the evidence, which the video was significant. It’s not a perfect system.
LikeLiked by 2 people
That certainly makes sense. I definitely felt like this was based on stupid technicalities and not wanting to inflate (more serious) crime stats.
LikeLiked by 2 people
There’s a method to the madness of prosecutors.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Exactly, and it’s all too predictable especially when I’ve been researching various cases.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ospreyshire,
True. It is becoming predictable.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, and it’s as predictable as these cases of certain individuals abusing 911 on Black people. I just heard two stories about that (Golf Cart Gail and Gas Station Gertrude [my own name for her]) today and I utterly despise this trend.
LikeLike
Ospreyshire,
Oh yes — there needs to be charges for making false police reports so the trend will stop.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly, and I wish it wouldn’t be so hard for the legislators to try and do something. Looks like the people have to pressure the lawmakers to make false police reports to be punishable.
LikeLike
Ospreyshire,
They have to pressure District and State Attorneys. There are cops who want to make arrests but they know that the prosecutor will not pursue the charges.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s true. It’s a shame how all these hands in the justice department are washing each other in the sink of corruption.
LikeLike
Ospreyshire,
And that, they do.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ospreyshire,
True. It is becoming predictable.
LikeLike
Hi Xena, Whites get off on lesser charges, not new. We’ll see his sentencing. I remember the story and am glad Brennan Walker was not harmed. Can you imagine a lost child knocking on someone’s door for help and having both wife and husband attempt to kill you? We rarely speak about the trauma to this child and others. If grown white women can be traumatized for life after a groping incident without rape, what kind of trauma will this child experience for rest of his life?
Few are concerned about the impact of such violent racist acts on children of color. We never hear about their PTSD but hear incessantly about #MeToo to the point where I’m saying enough already. There are others more traumatized by the actions of white men.
LikeLike
Pingback: Jeffrey Ziegler Who Shot At 14-Year Old Brennan Walker Found Guilty of Two Charges — We Hold These Truths To Be Self-Evident – colouredjustice.wordpress.com