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Ted Wafer, Convicted For Killing Renisha McBride, Gets Re-Sentencing Hearing
Ted Wafer, convicted for killing Renisha McBride
In summary, on August 7, 2014, Ted Wafer was found guilty of second-degree murder, manslaughter, and unlawful use of a weapon in the killing of 19-year old Renisha McBride. For more background information, please see our archives of posts about the case and trial.
Wafer is serving his sentence in the Alger Correctional Facility in Munising in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. He was sentenced to 15-30 years in prison for the murder count and 7-15 years for the manslaughter charge. He also received a mandatory two-year consecutive sentence on a felony firearm charge.
At his sentence hearing, Wafer’s attorney argued that he should only be sentenced to 10 years.
Detroit News reports that on April 6, 2016, a three-judge panel of the court ruled that Wayne County Circuit Judge Dana Hathaway erred in ruling she could not “go below the (sentencing) guidelines” when she sentenced Theodore Wafer in August 2014.
“Because the trial court’s compulsory adherence to the guidelines range was erroneous, in keeping with (case law) we remand for … proceedings,” according to the opinion by judges Cynthia Stephens, Joel Hoekstra and Deborah Servitto.
The court upheld Wafer’s conviction. Read the rest of this entry
Death and Racism
Hat tip to Glenn Robinson for tweeting out the article.
The article on The Root hit me hard;
Reject the “He was a good kid” or “He was a criminal” narrative and lift up the “Black lives matter” narrative. Those who knew him say Brown was a good kid. But that’s not why his death is tragic. His death isn’t tragic because he was on his way to college the following week. His death is tragic because he was a human being and his life mattered. The good-kid narrative might provoke some sympathy, but what it really does is support the lie that as a rule black people, black men in particular, have a norm of violence or criminal behavior. The good-kid narrative says that this kid didn’t deserve to die because his goodness was an exception to the rule. This is wrong. This kid didn’t deserve to die, period. Similarly, reject the “He was a criminal” narrative surrounding the convenience store robbery because even if Brown did steal some cigars and have a scuffle with the shopkeeper, that is still not a justification for his killing. All black lives matter, not just the ones we deem to be “good.”
It caused me to think back about why, during the George Zimmerman case, I did not debate nor defend against accusations that Trayvon was a “thug.” Here we are again with Michael Brown, and there are folks trying to posture Michael as deserving of death because he was not a “good kid. “
The quote above explains what I have not been able to put in words. In essence, those arguments for justification convey that there are good Blacks who deserve to live, and bad Blacks whose lives should be cut-short. That standard is defined by people through racially bigoted eyes that are never satisfied. If they cannot find anything to use to criticize the victim, or when their attempts are proven false, they attack the family, and even attack extended families. Read the rest of this entry
Ted Wafer Sentenced to 15-30 Years for Killing Renisha McBride
On August 7, 2014, Theodore “Ted” Wafer was found guilty of second-degree murder, manslaughter, and unlawful use of a weapon in the killing of 19-year old Renisha McBride.
McBride was intoxicated, and had an automobile accident where at trial, evidence was given that her head struck the windshield. For reasons unknown, Renisha knocked on Wafer’s front door and was greeted with a shotgun shell to her face that killed her.
Wafer claimed self-defense, a defense that has caused some others to slide away from consequences for taking the life of a human being when evidence says otherwise.
Today, Judge Hathaway called it “one of the saddest cases” she’s ever heard.
“A young woman’s life is gone and otherwise a law-abiding citizen’s life is gone. Although the evidence clearly shows in this case that Ms. McBride made some terrible choices that night, none of them justified taking her life. Read the rest of this entry
Ted Wafer’s Attorney Re-Litigates Case To Argue For A Reduced Sentence
Ted Wafer shot and killed 19-year old Renisha McBride. A jury found Wafer guilty of 2nd degree murder, manslaughter, and unlawful use of a weapon. He is due for sentencing next week. Wayne County prosecutors, and defense attorney Cheryl Carpenter, have filed their pleadings.
Prosecutors are asking that Judge Hathaway use sentencing guidelines. Wafer stands to be sentenced between 15 and 25 years in prison that would be in addition to an automatic 2 year sentence for unlawful use of a gun. Prosecutors are asking that Wafer be sentenced to at least 17 years in prison. Read the rest of this entry
Juror in Ted Wafer case: “no one believed it.”
A juror in the Ted Wafer murder trial spoke to the Free Press on the condition of anonymity. Ted Wafer was convicted of 2nd degree murder for killing Renisha McBride. Renisha had been in a car accident, was intoxicated, and knocked on Wafer’s door. He opened his door and shot through his screen door with a shotgun, killing the 19-year old.
Ted Wafer is taken into custody after the reading of the verdict.
The juror who interviewed with Free Press said that Wafer’s conflicting statements ultimately helped the jury reach its verdict. The jury was made up of 7 men and 5 women. When they went into deliberations, they took an anonymous vote. That vote was that Wafer was guilty, but they still had to decide whether to convict on second-degree murder or a lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter. The juror said that their decision hinged on the evidence. Read the rest of this entry
It Has Been A Long Week
It is Friday already. Seems like yesterday was Monday.
Butterflydreamer2 had a birthday this week. Yahtzeebutterfly covered the Ted Wafer trial, along with other magnificent participants. I’m afraid that if I try naming everyone that I might inadvertently omit someone, so here’s a huge thanks to everyone. It certainly was not easy following a trial that was not live streamed.
Justice for Renisha is no longer a hope but a reality. We lift up her parents, family and friends. Nothing will ever replace Renisha, but knowing that the jury entered a ruling based on facts and the law is like having an eternal flame. May it brighten the path for others to follow.
We continue moving forward in hope and love for peace, not only in our nation of America, but for all inhabitants on Earth, including all creatures, great and small.
Ted Wafer – Guilty of 2nd Degree Murder
Wanted to get this posted ASAP. Plus, there are tears in my eyes and I can barely hold them back to see to type. Today, truth found its way into justice and refused to budge.
Will post details below in comments and any videos. A press conference is pending.
R.I.P. Renisha
Closing Arguments – Ted Wafer Trial
Closing arguments in the Ted Wafer trial start at 9 a.m. The judge has allotted one hour to each side.
This thread is open for following closing arguments and discussion. We will then be on jury watch for the verdict.
If I come across any videos from the courtroom, I’ll update by posting them here.
Justice for Renisha!
UPDATE from today’s closing arguments.
More Cross-Exam Video – Ted Wafer
Ted Wafer took the stand for the second day, and went under cross-examination by the prosecution and re-direct by his attorneys.
The video below has excerpts. If more videos become available, I’ll post them here.
Also today, the judge allowed the lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter to be included in the jury instructions.
Closing arguments are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. tomorrow. Each side has one hour. Then it’s up to the jury.
MUCH THANKS to everyone who keeps us informed and up-to-date by following Twitter and joining in discussions. Yahtzeebutterfly deserves a vacation after this. I recommend Hawaii and that she takes me with. (snicker)
Ted Wafer’s Testimony – Aug. 4, 2014
Today, Ted Wafer took the stand in his murder trial. The videos below consist of 18 minutes of his testimony, and a news recap that includes a portion of cross-examination by the prosecution.
What I find strange is that Ted does not raise his eyes while testifying. I don’t know how the jury might see that, but it’s body language I would question. Read the rest of this entry
Ted Wafer Trial – August 4, 2014
After Friday and the weekend, the trial of Ted Wafer reconvenes today at 9 a.m. Yahtzeebutterfly and others have done a fantastic job following available information on Twitter. That has been our only option since the judge ordered no live stream the afternoon of the first day of trial.
WXYZ-TV Detroit generally releases a video recapping the day, which I shall post here as soon as it is available.
On another note, Michael Dunn has a pretrial hearing today on the retrial of 1st degree murder charges for killing Jordan Davis. If you hear anything about it before I do, feel free to post it in comments.
Because it’s so tiring following the Wafer trial via Twitter, I personally hope that the defense rests today and Tuesday, the jury will begin their work deliberating. Actually, I don’t see much that the defense has left to present.
Justice for Renisha!
UPDATE!
I didn’t read any tweets about Wafer being cross-examined by the prosecution, but WXYZ-TV reports in their recap video that cross-examination did happen and will continue in the morning.
MICHAEL DUNN
Jury selection is scheduled to begin on September 22 for Dunn’s retrial.
Ted Wafer’s Trial July 31, 2014
Thanks to everyone who followed tweets and reported. A special thanks to Yahtzeebutterfly for her hard work.
The prosecution has rested.
I saw lots of tweets yesterday about Renisha’s alcohol level, but none about the defense getting spanked when inferring that the footprint on the air conditioner was from someone trying to break-into the house. As the witness said, “Then that’s the person he should have shot.”
Maybe I missed those tweets.
WXZY-TV caught excellent excerpts from yesterday’s hearing, including the witness that said he didn’t investigate a break-in because there was no evidence of a break-in.
Ted Wafer Trial – July 29, 2014
It is really disturbing having to follow the trial without being able to watch it. So, the camera-person made a mistake on the first day. Can’t that be forgiven?
Yahtzee is doing a fabulous job following and reporting what reporters in the courtroom are tweeting. It’s lots of reading and I honor her for doing the job.
WXYZ-Detroit recaps yesterday’s testimony. They also report that Wafer might take the stand on Wednesday.
Ted Wafer Trial – July 24, 2014
We shall see if there is live stream today. Yesterday, a camera caught the face of a juror, and the judge ordered that live coverage be stopped. However, Wild About Trial said they were having technical difficulties.
We’ll follow as much as possible via Twitter and news sources, and report in the comment section.
I found a few videos with excerpts and reports of today’s trial.
Theodore Wafer Trial
The trial of Ted Wafer began this morning. I want to get this up quickly so those interested can watch and know where to follow comments.
There is live stream at http://courtchatter.tv/wafer3.htm.
If there are videos later, I will embed them here.
(A Special thanks to Mothman for locating the live stream) Read the rest of this entry
Ted Wafer (Renisha McBride) Preliminary Hearing Day 2
Left, Ted Wafer
Right, Renisha McBride
Theodore (Ted) Wafer, 54, is charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter for killing 19-year-old Renisha McBride on November 2, 2013. McBride was in a car accident and subsequently appeared at Wafer’s front door where he shot her in the face with a shot-gun.
Wafer first claimed self-defense, and later claimed that the gun went off by accident.
Today’s hearing begins at 9 a.m. EST.
Click here to watch live stream.
UPDATED Read the rest of this entry
Ted Wafer-Renisha McBride Live Stream Report
Yahtzee has been watching the hearing and reporting on in at. https://blackbutterfly7.wordpress.com/2013/12/17/mark-omara-addresses-florida-bar-complaint/
This thread picks up at about 2:30 p.m.
The live stream is at:
Thank you, Yahtzee, for your commitment and work keeping us informed.
UPDATED: Read the rest of this entry
Renisha McBride – Autopsy And New Discoveries
Renisha McBride, 19, was shot to death on November 2, 2013 by a homeowner in Dearborn Heights, Michigan. According to an autopsy released on Monday, McBride was shot in the face.
Assistant Medical Examiner Kilak Kesha ruled Renisha’s death a homicide, and documented findings that
“There was an entrance shotgun wound to the face, with no evidence of close-range discharge of a firearm noted on the skin surrounding this wound. The wound tract passes through the soft tissue and bones of the face and entered the brain. Associated with this injury were skull fractures and bleeding around the brain. The would track was from front to back and right to left. Multiple lead pellets and fragments or wad were recovered from the brain and retained.” Read the rest of this entry
We Hold These Truths To Be Self-Evident 