DETROIT – Three men who are charged in the death of a 2-year-old Detroit girl who was shot during a dispute over a spilled drink face a key hearing on Thursday.
Makanzee Oldham died in May after she was hit by gunfire on Fairmount.
"She was a blessing, always happy. She didn't deserve it. This was senseless," Makenzee's father, Marcell Oldham, said.
Men accused of fighting over spilled juice; facing charges
Thirty-year-old Cleveland Smelley, 21-year-old Deonta Bennett and 32-year-old Antoine Smelley are charged with eight counts each of assault with intent to murder and other crimes.
Their preliminary hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. in the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice. A judge will decide whether to send them to trial on the charges.
Prosecutors said Antoine Smelley poured juice over the head of a woman who was getting ready to leave the house to go to a prom, and then pulled out a handgun and threatened the young woman and her friends.
Cleveland Smelley and Bennett met up with Antoine Smelley and got into a fight with several people, prosecutors said. During the fight, it is alleged that Bennett gave a handgun to Cleveland Smelley, who shot at seven people in a car, hitting Makanzee.
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Help for Makenzee's family
Makenzee died just two weeks shy of her third birthday. The family has set up an online fund for funeral expenses.