South Lyon teen accused of trying to commit murder with baseball bat in argument over $7

Malachi Collins, 18, arrested in connection with near-deadly beating

Malachi Collins, 18, is accused of beating a man with a baseball bat in a dispute over $7 and stolen clothing. (WDIV)

SOUTH LYON, Mich. – A South Lyon teenager has been charged with trying to commit murder with a baseball bat because of a dispute over $7.

South Lyon police officers were called around 10 p.m. July 30 to the 200 block of Longfellow Street on reports of several people fighting. The caller said one person had a baseball bat and there were two others involved in the fight.

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Officers found a 26-year-old South Lyon Woods man laying on the north side of the road. He was bleeding from his head and eyes, and his face was swollen. Police said it appeared he was beaten with a blunt object.

Details of the fight

Police interviewed witnesses at the scene, including Malachi Jordan Collins, 18, who said he had been approached by three men, including the victim. Collins said he had a dispute with one of the three men over $7 and some clothing that had been stolen.

When the fight happened, Collins said he was attacked by the three men and defended himself. He denied having used a weapon.

At least two witnesses not directly involved in the incident told police the victim had pounded on the door of a mobile home, and a man exited with a baseball bat. They said the man hit the victim with the bat, pursued him when he ran and hit him with the bat three more times. A second man was said to have kicked the victim.

Officers retrieved two baseball bats, one of which had smears of blood on it, from behind a couch at a home on Longfellow Street.

18-year-old arrested

The investigation continued for a week before an arrest warrant was issued for Collins.

Police said they called Collins' mother, who was asked to bring him in for an interview, but there was no response.

Collins was then reported to be at a motel in the Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti area.

On Tuesday, the Oakland County Fugitive Apprehension Team found Collins at a motel off U.S. 23 with his girlfriend and her two children. He was arrested without incident.

Collins is charged with assault with intent to murder. He is being held at the Oakland County Jail after bond was denied Wednesday at his arraignment.

He pleaded not guilty, and a pretrial conference is scheduled for Aug. 23.

Victim seriously injured

The 26-year-old man was treated by South Lyon firefighters and HVA at the scene before being taken to the University of Michigan Hospital for treatment.

Officers said he was unable to speak at the scene because of his condition.

The man was reported to have been in a medically induced coma on July 31. He couldn't talk to police officers at the hospital because he was heavily medicated.

He was later released from the hospital, but is expected to return for reconstructive surgery, officials said.


About the Author:

Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.