MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. – The ex-boyfriend accused in the murder of Ashley Elkins refused to get dressed for court Friday and kept screaming when he was unmuted from proceedings.
Deandre Howard Booker, 32, of Roseville, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder, tampering with evidence, disinterment or mutilation of a dead body, and concealing the death of an individual in connection with the murder of Elkins.
His preliminary examination continued Friday, two days after he asked permission to stand throughout the testimony given on Wednesday.
But Booker wasn’t in the courtroom Friday. Proceedings were scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m., but Judge Joseph Boedeker didn’t even enter the room until 9:43 a.m.
“The court is ready to proceed with the further testimony in the examination hearing,” Boedeker said. “The reason we’re starting so late is because we apparently have a very disruptive defendant.
“He is at court. He’s not in the courtroom, however, because of his behavior. That’s what I’m told. Also, apparently some threats were made earlier, and that’s why he’s not in the courtroom right now. He is in lock-up.”
As a result, the courtroom connected to the lock-up facility via Zoom, so that Booker could listen to proceedings virtually.
Boedeker said Booker’s side would need to be taken off of mute so he could respond, and defense attorney Robbie Lang asked that they briefly turn on the video feed to confirm that Booker was present and on the record.
Apparently, Boedeker and Lang talked in the judge’s chambers before Friday’s proceedings, and discussed that Booker refused to get dressed for court.
“It’s not just only his behavior, but apparently, because of his behavior, the clothing that he’s (wearing) right now would not be appropriate for court,” Boedeker said.
“Based upon what I’ve been told by the jail officers and what I saw personally when I went back there, it’s my understanding that he was uncooperative in getting dressed into the jail uniform that inmates usually appear in court in, and that the only thing that they have covering some of his body looks to be some kind of a blanket, or whatever, so I don’t think he’s in any appropriate state of dress to be in the courtroom or even shown on video, other than, I think, just briefly to identify him for purposes of the record,” Lang said.
Boedeker gave the order to unmute the stream, and once Booker’s side was unmuted, the courtroom was filled with the sound of indistinguishable and distorted yelling.
“It’s real clear to the court that Mr. Booker is screaming,” Boedeker said for the record. “He’s in the jail cell. Rather than just listen to that, I don’t know if you can hear us there, but if you would have him muted, please?”
Prosecutors suggested having the officers in the room with Booker place themselves on the record.
Lang agreed Booker’s portion of the audio should be muted. He said the court should proceed knowing that the technology is in place for Booker to hear the proceedings virtually.
Both sides agreed that Booker should be given a warning that if he continues being disruptive so he would know the consequences.
Boedeker confirmed with Lang that Booker had previously waived his right to be in court Wednesday, but then changed his mind and was not disruptive in court.
“Today’s a different day,” Lang said.
A probation officer came to the courtroom from lock-up, where he had just been with Booker. He confirmed Booker can see and hear the court proceedings.
Boedeker had Booker unmuted and informed him of his right to be present in court and warned him that he would be muted if he continued to be disruptive. It was difficult to make out Booker’s response because the audio was a bit distorted and Booker was shouting.
“You can mute him, please,” Boedeker said. “Thank you. Let the record reflect that his behavior’s the same. He’s screaming and yelling. He can hear us and he can see us, so we are going to proceed without him being physically in the courtroom.”