Cipriano supporter faces drug charges

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. – A troubling twist to the story of a woman linked to murder suspect Tucker Cipriano.

Cipriano is accused of attacking his Farmington Hills family with a bat and during his court appearance Christine Frederick showed up to offer support. She was crying and hugging friends of Tucker and friend Mitchell Young as they were charged in the attack that killed Bob Cipriano and critically injured his wife Rose and son Sal. Frederick even spoke of taking Tucker in, who was adopted and recently kicked out the Cipriano home.

Days have passed since that court appearance and now Frederick faces drug charges. She went before a judge on Saturday and faces charges of manufacture of marijuana, and possession of a controlled substance.

"I know neighbors were complaining that she had young children in cars at her home so the timing in that respect is a little bit suspicious," said Frederick's attorney Steven Schwartz.

According to police, 47-year-old Frederick was arrested on an outstanding warrant Friday around 7:30 p.m. at a house on Haynes Street in Farmington Hills. Her arrest was the result of an ongoing drug investigation and is not related to the Cipriano murder case. However, Frederick's attorney said she had a medical card.

"She's in a lot of pain that's why she has a medical marijuana card. Again, it isn't any secret. She had a brain tumor that was taken out of her skull this past June. It took up about half of her brain, thankfully it was benign. Nonetheless, she suffers from severe migraine headaches," said Schwartz.

Frederick faces up to six years in prison. She was released on a $1,000 personal bond and is scheduled to return to court on May 2.