MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. – Former Warren police officer James Burke was cleared of all charges by a jury on Thursday, including two counts of involuntary manslaughter and related charges stemming from a 2024 high-speed crash that killed two men.
The families of the two men killed left the courtroom visibly upset.
The crash
On Sept. 30, 2024, Burke was driving his patrol vehicle at approximately 114 mph, without emergency lights or sirens activated, when his cruiser slammed into a Dodge Durango that was turning left onto Prospect Avenue in Warren.
Cedric Hayden Jr. and Dejuan Pettis died as a result of the collision.
Burke faced four charges: two counts of manslaughter with a motor vehicle, one count of moving violation causing serious impairment of body function, and one count of willful neglect of duty.
After seven days of testimony and evidence, the jury returned not guilty verdicts on all four counts.
The case
The trial centered entirely on one question: Did Burke’s high-speed driving constitute criminal gross negligence, or was the crash an unavoidable accident caused by an impaired driver?
Prosecutors argued Burke operated his vehicle with gross negligence, telling jurors the crash did not have to happen.
Defense attorneys countered that Hayden was heavily intoxicated and made an improper, unexpected left turn directly in front of the cruiser.
Curtis argued that Burke acted entirely within his training.
Family Reaction
The verdict drew an immediate and emotional response from the families of the two men who died.
“That’s B***s***. That’s B***s***,” one person said as the verdict was read.
Theresa Ford, Hayden’s mother, said the outcome felt deeply unjust.
“We have no justice because my son is gone. His best friend gone, and the officer has been at home enjoying his family, and it’s not bringing my son back or his friend,” Ford said.
Cedric Hayden Sr. also questioned whether the full picture emerged at trial.
“We didn’t get a fair trial. They didn’t show all the evidence they should’ve shown. I don’t think they even tried to show the evidence,” Hayden said.
Burke’s family calls verdict long overdue
Burke’s father, Jim Burke, said his son and the family endured nearly two years of hardship since the charges were filed, and that the jury’s swift return sent a clear message.
“To get not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, that quick sends a huge message of how outrageous this case was,” Jim Burke said.
He credited the jury, not the prosecutor’s office, with protecting the residents of Macomb County.
“The prosecutor’s office was not protecting the people of this county; those 12 wonderful people were protecting the residents of this county, and we are eternally grateful for them,” Jim Burke said.
Jim Burke described his son as a decorated officer with a “heart of gold,” saying he is relieved James will not be separated from his fiancée and daughter.
Civil suits still pending
The acquittal does not end the legal battle. Figer Law has filed two separate $100 million wrongful death lawsuits in Macomb County Circuit Court against the City of Warren and the officers involved, one on behalf of Cedric Hayden Jr.’s family and one on behalf of Dejuan Pettis’s family.
Attorney James Harrington, who represents the families in the civil case, said a very different legal fight is ahead.
“So there will be round two, and this time, I’ll be there. I’ll be there with the family, and we will be able to put on the real evidence,” Harrington said.
The civil case is currently in the discovery phase, with depositions underway.
The burden of proof in a civil case differs significantly from a criminal trial, requiring only a preponderance of the evidence rather than proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
Prosecutor respects verdict
Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido issued a statement following the verdict.
“We respect the jury’s verdict and thank the jurors for their service.
Our office pursued this case based on the evidence and presented the facts for the jury’s consideration.
While the jury reached a different conclusion than the prosecution advocated, we remain committed to seeking justice on behalf of victims and their families.
We are mindful of the profound loss suffered in this case and extend our continued thoughts and support to those affected.”
Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido