Morning 4 is a quick roundup of stories we think you should know about to start your day. So, let’s get to the news.
Verdict watch: Ex-Warren officer charged in deadly crash
A jury could finish their deliberations today in the manslaughter case for a Warren officer. James Burke is accused of speeding more than 114 miles an hour without any lights or sirens before crashing into another SUV and killing two men.
Cedric Hayden, Jr. and Dejuan Pettis died following the collision with the former officer’s cruiser on Sept. 30, 2024.
Burke’s attorney argued he acted with care and blamed the victims’ actions for the crash. Burke, who was fired after the incident, could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
‘Living the dream’: Kirsten Simms on her journey to the PWHL Draft
The year 2026 will be a hard one to beat for Kirsten Simms. The Plymouth native earned Olympic gold in women’s hockey with Team USA and won back-to-back NCAA national titles at Wisconsin.
“Surreal” is how Simms described the last few months to Local 4.
This year of milestones is far from over.
Next week, Simms will start her professional journey in the PWHL Draft as a projected first-round pick.
“This is what I’ve wanted to do, to get to play professional hockey,” Simms said. “Maybe instead of a job interview, now it’s like a hockey team interview. That’s living the dream.”
Former Detroit cop accused of using woman’s phone to send explicit photos gets probation
A Detroit police officer accused of using a woman’s phone to send explicit photos to himself during a traffic stop in March was sentenced this week.
Derond Martez Crawford, 34, pleaded no contest last month to one count of misconduct in office and was sentenced June 10 to two years probation, with the last six months to be served in the Wayne County Jail.
The two other charges he faced — using a computer to commit a crime and interfering with a telecommunications device — were dismissed as part of the plea deal.
Police shooting that killed 15-year-old Macomb County boy ruled justified, body camera video released
A police shooting that left a 15-year-old boy dead last month has been ruled justified, and newly released body camera footage shows the tense moments leading up to the deadly encounter.
The shooting happened on Breezeway, near 13 Mile Road and Groesbeck Highway, after Fraser police were called to a home for a reported domestic violence incident involving 15-year-old Ayden Gould and his grandmother.
More than three minutes of body camera video from Fraser officers was released on Tuesday. At a news conference, Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham, whose office investigated the shooting, called the situation “tragic.”
4Warn Weather Alert: Dangerous heat today, severe storm threat tonight across Southeast Michigan
A 4Warn Weather Alert remains in effect for Southeast Michigan due to a combination of dangerous heat today followed by the potential for severe thunderstorms later tonight. A Heat Advisory continues for communities south of M-59 through this evening.
Temperatures will climb into the upper 80s and lower 90s, while high humidity levels will push heat index values close to 100 degrees during the afternoon. Anyone spending extended time outdoors should stay hydrated, take frequent breaks, and limit strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day.