Cipriano family baseball bat murder case delayed over defense motions

Tucker Cipriano to have forensic examination for competency, criminal responsibility; Mitchell Young's attorney disputes confession validity

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. The defense attorney for Tucker Cipriano has doubts that his client has a clear understanding that he is facing life without parole after confessing to the beating death of his father, Bob Cipriano, and critical beatings of his mother, Rose Cipriano, and younger brother, Salvatore Cipriano.

Tucker Cipriano's trial is delayed three months so he can have a forensic examination to determine if he is competent to stand trial and if he has criminal responsibility.

More: Cipriano family beating suspects arraigned

"Voluntary intoxication is not a defense, but if those drugs caused him to be psychotic, causing him to be mentally ill, that could become an issue at trial," said Mitch Ribitwer, Cipriano's defense attorney.

Tucker Cipriano, Mitchell Young arraigned Tuesday

Tucker Cipriano, 19, and 20-year-old Mitchell Young were both arraigned Tuesday in Circuit Court on murder and other charges. Both men stood mute. Both had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf.

Young gave his confession from a bed at Botsford Hospital where he was being treated for a broken jaw, allegedly given to him by Tucker during the attacks on his family inside the home in Farmington Hills on the morning of April 16.

Complete coverage: Cipriano murder case

The defense attorney for Young wants the alleged hospital confession tossed out.

"That it was a voluntary or understanding statement. Under the law, the court makes a determination, if the judge here in Circuit Court makes a determination that it wasn't, then that statement will be suppressed," said Michael McCarthy, Young's defense attorney.

Tucker's case is now set to be back in court on Sept. 4. Young's case is back on July 31. Both are before Oakland County Circuit Judge Shalina Kumar. Defense attorneys also plan to file motions to have two trials or at least two juries. Those will require hearings before trial.

Baseball bat beating victims recovering

Rose Cipriano is out of her wheelchair and walking the halls of her rehabilitation facility. Local 4 has learned she is talking a lot more.

Sal Cipriano still was recovering at Botsford Hospital, which released the following statement on Tuesday:

"It is with a great deal of caring and hope for his continuing recovery that we share the news that Sal was discharged late this morning to a rehabilitation facility with a specialty unit for closed head injury patients."

-- Tucker Cipriano and Mitchell Young


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