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Damon trial continues

The first day of testimony on April 23 in the open murder and first degree child abuse trial of Marshall man Chadwick Damon ended with the jury viewing a police video tape of Damon being interrogated by Marshall police officers Sgt. Scott McDonald and Sgt. Josh Lankerd on July 12, 2007.
That is the date that Damon called 911 to report that his live-in girlfriend’s daughter, 4-year-old Mackenzie Vandenheede, who was under Damon’s care that day, was unresponsive after he said he found her on the floor of her bedroom.
Five days later on July 17, Mackenzie died at Bronson Hospital as a result of blunt trauma to the back of the head.
During the interrogation, both officers asked Damon several times if he was being completely open about what happened that day and specifically about the events between 3 p.m. – when Damon said he put Mackenzie down for a nap, and 5:54 p.m.– when Damon called 911.
“Are you being 100-percent truthful about finding her on the floor?” asked McDonald, who moments later told Damon to “put the cards on the table.”
Lankerd told Damon, then 20, that he was at a crossroads in his life.
“What is your path?” said Lankerd. “We’re just looking for the truth.”
The interrogation took place after Damon was charged with disorderly conduct following an altercation with the two officers after Mackenzie’s transport to Oaklawn Hospital, in which pepper spray was used to subdue Damon and his anger, a point brought up several times in the video tape.
“Chad, I want to believe you, I really do,” said McDonald, who earlier in the tape told Damon he “snapped” when the officers approached him. “But, I could see the rage in your eyes on Prospect St. (where the altercation took place, adjacent to the hospital)…Chad, was it an accident, what happened today?”
Damon responded crying, “I didn’t touch her today. (July 12).”
Lankerd then told Damon that he had unresolved issues that were getting the best of him.
“You let it build up and you don’t talk,” said Lankerd. “We all do things. Sometimes accidents happen. I want to know if that’s what happened (with Mackenzie).”
See today's Chronicle on newsstands now for more on this story.

Jury seated in Damon murder trial

A jury was seated at 4:18 p.m. today in Calhoun County Circuit Court in the trial of a Marshall man charged with open murder stemming from the July, 2007 death of 4-year-old Mackenzie VandenHeede. Opening arguments are scheduled to begin Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. in the case against 20-year-old Chadwick Leon Damon. A blow to the back of the head with the heel of his hand apparently killed the child, according to testimony last fall in the open murder preliminary hearing for Damon.
The former Marine who, according to testimony, told police he used military discipline on the child was the primary caregiver for the daughter of his girlfriend, Jill VandenHeede, who was at her job in a local nursing home the night of July 12, 2007 when Damon called 911 after finding Mackenzie unresponsive in a back bedroom of their South Kalamazoo Avenue home, testified Michigan State Police forensic interviewer Lt. Shawn Loughrige. Damon, also charged with one count of first degree child abuse, was bound over for trial by District Judge Marvin Ratner after hearing testimony from Loughrige, Sparrow Hospital Medical Director of Forensic Pathology Dr. Joyce DeJong and Assistant Marshall Fire Chief Bill Hankinson.
Mackenzie was taken to Bronson Methodist Hospital by Marshall Firefighters Ambulance and died July 16. Her vital organs were harvested for organ donation and her body was sent to Sparrow Hospital for autopsy where DeJong determined that cause of death was blunt force head injury.
DeJong said she found a one centimeter tear on the back of Mackenzie’s scalp, bruises on the sides of her face, just beneath her jaw, multiple bruises on her chest and back, abdomen, arms and legs.
“There were three bruises to the scalp,” she said of the inside of the scalp. “One of them was clearly in relation to the previous tear and there was bleeding in that area. More than likely, it’s three separate blows.”
She said the swelling to the brain was trauma induced.
“It is a severe, violent force that causes that,” she said. “It’s not from any trivial type of activity that we see subdural trauma in children who have been in car accidents.”
Also on the witness list for the trial are Kathie Powers (911), Lance Lynch, Heath Shoemaker, Ofc. Shannon Koepke, Ofc. Josh Lankerd, Sgt. Scott McDonald, Dr. David Komasara (expert), Kathy Nichols, Kevin Ferguson, Brett Pehrson, Sgt. Wes Cuatt, Dep. Aaron Wiersma, Dept. Michael Vanderbilt, Ofc. Lee Friend, Dep. John Pignataro, Sgt. Martin Brown, Marilyn Vandenheede, Jennifer Brown, Sherry Flynn, Mike Kahl, Carol Gwin, Adam Hankey, Dr. Glenn Libby (expert), Tom Beyersdorf (or other Gift of Life recordkeeper), Dr. Rudolph Castellani (expert), and Det. Guy Picketts.
Hearing the case is Judge Stephen Miller. The defense attorney is Mark Webb of Marshall and prosecuting Damon are Sarah Lincoln and John Hallacy. The trial is expected to last up to two weeks.

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Historical Society to hold open house

The Marshall Historical Society will be holding an Open House at Capitol Hill School Thursday April 24 from 7-8:30 p.m.
Capitol Hill School was built by the citizens of Marshall in 1860 and served the city until 1961.
The school is now a children's museum and 19th century classroom used for elementary school history lessons and programs, said Executive Director Jennifer Rupp.
“Come and enjoy light refreshments, meet the historical society board of trustees, and see what is new with the Marshall Historical Society,” she said.

Statewide burning ban in effect

A state wide burning ban is on until further notice, according to Marshall Township Clerk Cindy Sink. Check back here for updates or call your local fire department.

Phillips scores 'good' on evaluation

Marshall School Superintendent Joyce Phillips has earned a “Good” overall evaluation from the Marshall School Board, according to a press release issued by Board President Vic Potter and Vice President Paul Beardslee. Phillips garnered “Excellent” ratings in the areas of Business and Finance, and Personal Qualities, they said.

According to Potter the board remains "very pleased" with the job Dr. Phillips is doing with the district’s finances and facilities. “Remember, when Joyce came to Marshall we were in a deficit situation, our teachers were working without a contract and we had no long-term plan for facilities. Today, thanks to Joyce and others, we now have a small rainy-day fund that is slowly growing; we’re saving hundreds of thousands of dollars on building maintenance; we have a plan for improving aged buildings; and our teachers are working under a 2-year contract.”

Prior to her review one year ago Phillips informed the board of her plan to retire from the district at the end of the 2008-2009 school year.
“We respect that Joyce continues to work as hard today as she did when she started here 4 years ago” said Potter.

During her annual performance review on April 14th, the board considered the Superintendent’s performance in the following areas: Relationship with the Board, Community Relationships, Staff and Personnel Relationships, Educational Leadership, Business and Finance, and Personal Qualities. In each category the board may give a score of Excellent – 5; Good – 4; Satisfactory -3; Weak – 2; or Poor – 1. Phillips received no score lower than a 3 and her average score was 4.

Lafferty home from Baghdad

Marshall Alternative High School graduate, Spc. Adam Lafferty is back in the States and safe and sound from his tour in Iraq. The redeployment ceremony was at Fort Riley, Kansas, last Friday. His mother, Tracy Reuss, said there was not a dry eye in the place when his unit arrived.
He will be home on leave in Marshall May 10-June 8.
His mother thanks everyone for the encouragement and support while he was away.

Now is a great time to buy your first home! Learn how at Marshall District Library

Marshall District Library partners with Marshall Community Credit Union to offer an informative seminar, “First-time Home Buyer” on Tuesday, April 15 at 7 p.m. in the library Meeting Room. To register, pick up a FREE ticket at the library Information Desk or Marshall Community Credit Union.

Tired of paying rent? Considering buying a place of your own? Whether you are considering purchasing a home now or in the future, this seminar is for you! Misty Seavolt, Mortgage Department Supervisor at MCCU, will present this informative program. From the initial search through closing day, this is an opportunity to learn about the process of purchasing your first home, ask questions, and find answers. Join us to learn more! Light refreshments provided.

Marshall District Library is located at 124 West Green Street. For more information on this or any adult program call the library at 781-7821, ext. 10 or visit on the web at www.marshalldistrictlibrary.org.
Marshall Community Credit Union is located at 839 West Green Street. To contact MCCU, call 781-9885 or visit on the web at www.marshallcommunitycu.com.

Open House – Downtown Marshall Living Spaces

Marshall Main Street is holding a sneak peek at two newly rehabilitated apartments in downtown Marshall.
Thursday, April 17, 5-7 p.m., 148 W. Michigan Avenue, Marshall
Located above Quality Engraving, this project was funded by private investment and Community Development Block Grant Funds from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.
Information on Rental Rehabilitation and Façade Improvement Programs will be available at this event.

For more information, contact Diane Larkin at 269.727.0005 or dlarkin@cityofmarshall.com

This week's front page. Click for larger view.

This week's front page. Click for larger view.

Announcing Calhoun County Records are Now Available On-line

Anne Norlander, Calhoun County Clerk and Register of Deeds, will hold a Press Conference on April 16, 2008 from 1 – 2 p.m. in the County Clerk and Register of Deed’s office, 315 West Green Street, Marshall, MI 49068. The Press Conference will announce that Calhoun County land records are now available online. “We are excited to bring another technological innovation to the Clerk and Register of Deeds office that will make access to our records easier and more convenient.” Anne noted. “Customers will be able to locate their land records online, and with a nominal credit card payment, view and print a copy”.

Norlander will also announce the online availability of the Register of Actions for Calhoun County’s 37th Judicial Circuit Court.

This computerized online index of court cases and filings or docket entries, lists all parties to an action, the attorneys of record, and case numbers. As additional actions are taken in each case, information will be updated under the case number in the action.


These latest innovations are part of Norlander’s larger vision for a virtual Clerk and Register of Deeds office which will offer all of our public records and/or indexes online and available to the public at a very affordable cost.

Currently, the Calhoun County Clerk and Register of Deeds office offers the following public documents online: death and marriage indexes, forms to request certified copies of Birth, Marriage and Death certificates, Assumed Name Certificate forms, Court Copy Request forms, Election Information, Campaign Finance, Candidate Filings, School District Proposal Language updated for each election cycle.

"We will conclude with a demonstration on “how to” access all records available on the Clerk and Register of Deeds website: co.calhoun.mi.us," she said.

Woman with two long guns, ammo and a knife wanted to hurt someone

One of the many exclusive features you'll find in the Chronicle every week is Public Safety Beat where you can learn what's new on the police, courts and fire news fronts. This is one of many actual cases handled by local police agencies that appear in this week's edition:

MARSHALL – A 56-year-old Marshall woman who had showed up in front of city hall with a dog and two long guns in her car, a knife in her pocket, and ammo and narcotics in her purse, was arrested two days later for disorderly conduct after dancing provocatively on the pool tables at Charlie’s Saloon and using profanity.
She had three dogs in her car when she was taken to jail on the second incident.
Charges are pending in both cases.
In her first encounter with police March 27, a dispatcher at the Marshall police office inside Town Hall observed the woman parked outside for about a half hour before she entered the lobby, said acting chief Det./Sgt. Scott McDonald.
“She sat in her car in front of city hall for at least a half hour with guns in it,” said McDonald. “I don’t think she’s mad at us but people driving with loaded guns in the car is not a good thing. People don’t think we have gun issues in this town but here’s an example of what we deal with.”
The woman who later told a nurse at Oaklawn Hospital that she intended to harm someone, had initially told police that she needed the guns for protection because her ex-husband and his family are trying to kill her.
“(She) was very belligerent to the dispatcher when she first arrived at the Marshall Police Department,” reported Adam Ottjepka. “(She) called the dispatcher a ‘deaf b****’ and proceeded to raise her voice to an unacceptable level.”
She then told officers that her ex husband is very violent and she fears for her life and her safety.
“She said she doesn’t even feel safe walking down the street without a weapon,” reported Ottjepka.
When police inquired further, they found the knife in her pocket and when they asked if she had any other weapons, she revealed that she had a 20 gauge and a 22 caliber rifle in the front seat of her car and that the ammunition was stored in the trunk.
Though she claimed those guns are for deer hunting, she later admitted she has them for protection against her ex-husband’s family.
“I asked (her) if she wanted to hurt anybody and (she) stated, ‘yes’ if they are going to hurt her she wants to hurt them back,” Ottjepka reported.
Police found the two long guns barrels facing down, butt end between the seat in the center console in plain view, they reported.
“The weapons were readily accessible to the driver,” Ottjepka reported.
Though both guns were not loaded, police found ammo in her purse, they said.
Police said they also found Tylenol 3 with codeine in her purse that she claimed belonged to her husband.
She was turned over to Oaklawn for mental treatment and weapons an drug offense charges are pending.
The dogs in both cases were picked up by a family member.

Strander, Hallacy to vie for district court judge

George M. Strander, Albion attorney and Vice-Mayor of the city, and Calhoun County Prosecutor John Hallacy both announced this week they will campaign for the office of 10th District Court judge, a seat currently held by Marvin Ratner. See this week's Chronicle for more.

Granholm Signs Legislation to Help Citizens Threatened With Mortgage Foreclosure

Press Release
LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today signed legislation aimed at preserving the American dream of homeownership for Michigan families in jeopardy of losing their homes to foreclosure. The governor was joined today by lenders from the Michigan Credit Union League, the Michigan Bankers Association, and sponsoring legislators from across the state for bill signings in Grand Rapids, Jackson, and Detroit.

“These new tools will help protect families from losing their homes and work to stabilize Michigan’s housing market,” Granholm said. “I applaud the leadership of our legislators and our many partners in the lending community, including bankers, credit union lenders, and mortgage lenders, for making these tools a reality.”

The bills signed today create two new refinancing options to protect home ownership – an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) refinancing option that will help citizens get into fixed-rate mortgages and a “rescue” program that helps those who have been behind in their payments in the past, but are current now. The new tools are part of the “Save the Dream” initiative that makes housing counselors available to homeowners and raises awareness about avoiding foreclosure. The Save the Dream products and programs are operated and funded entirely by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA).

“We believe our Save the Dream program will help curtail the foreclosures happening throughout our Michigan communities,” MSHDA Director of Homeownership Mary Townley said. “This new legislation gives us an important tool to add to our existing homeownership counseling and foreclosure prevention activity. Putting the counseling together with the ability to refinance home loans for safer, more secure long-term, fixed-rate mortgages offers a sense of real hope to some very desperate homeowners.”

The new Save the Dream tools are:

• The Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) Refinance Program that will assist homeowners who have an ARM in refinancing to a 30-year, lower-interest, fixed-rate conventional loan;

• The Rescue Refinance Program that will assist individuals who have a delinquency on their mortgage and who are at risk of losing their home will have a chance to get into a more affordable 30-year, fixed rate, conventional loan.

Both initiatives are targeted at existing homeowners. To qualify for one of the new loan programs, homeowners must meet the same income and sales price limits that other MSHDA loan products require. Household income must be under $108,000, and the purchase price of the home cannot exceed $224,500. The initiatives will be funded by taxable bonds, and homeowners will be responsible for the full value of their refinanced mortgages. The original mortgage does not have to be a MSHDA loan; however, the homeowner must meet MSHDA requirements for the refinance product. This qualifying information is available from approved lenders and directly from MSHDA.

For more details on the Save the Dream refinance programs and other services, a visit to www.michigan.gov/mshda will take seekers to MSHDA’s home page and the Save the Dream icon where up-to-date information about the loans, services, and MSHDA-approved lenders and certified counselors is available. There is also a consumer hotline that helps callers find a counselor locally. That toll-free number is 1-866-946-7432.

MSHDA is a quasi-state agency that provides financial and technical assistance through public and private partnerships to create and preserve safe and decent affordable housing, engage in community economic development activities, and address homeless issues. MSHDA’s loans and operating expenses are financed through the sale of tax-exempt and taxable bonds and notes to private investors, not from state tax revenues. For more information on MSHDA programs and initiatives, visit the Web site at www.michigan.gov/mshda.

The bills signed today are: HB 5443 sponsored by State Representative Steve Tobocman (D-Detroit), HB 5446 sponsored by State Representative Bettie Cook Scott (D-Detroit), SB 948 sponsored by Senator Tupac Hunter (D-Detroit), SB 950 sponsored by Senator Hansen Clarke (D-Detroit), SB 951 sponsored by Senator Buzz Thomas (D-Detroit), and SB 1133 sponsored by Senator Randy Richardville (R-Monroe). The bills were given immediate effect.

Marshall schools to take deputy to the prom

The Marshall Public Schools is among only three school districts countywide that have so far accepted an offer by the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office to have a deputy go to the prom in an effort to curb underage drinking, according to Capt. Matt Saxton of the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office.
"We have a grant from the Office of Highway Safety Planning to put a deputy at the prom," said Saxton. "We sent the invitation out to all the superintendents."
Joining Marshall so far in taking advantage of the offer are Homer and Pennfield public schools but time is running out.
"The sooner (they let us know) the better," said Saxton.
Marshall's prom takes place May 3 at the Medalist and is among the first in the county.
The deputy's presence will help in spotting kids who have been drinking, who might be trying to sneak alcohol into the dance and can even pick up on after prom drinking parties, said Saxton.
See the Saturday Chronicle for more on this story and on a press conference planned for today on how officials countywide are working to protect teens from the dangers of alcohol this prom and graduation season.

Trial postponed to April 22

The scheduled April 1 trial of Chad Damon on an open murder charge has been delayed until April 22. Damon, 20, of Marshall, is accused of killing 4-year-old Mackenzie VandenHeede, the daughter of his live-in girlfriend, Jill VandenHeede.

Body found is that of Courtney Cook

Sergeant Scott McDonald of the Marshall Police Department announced Tuesday afternoon that the body found submerged in Rice Creek last Saturday afternoon was that of Courtney Cook, the Marshall woman missing since Jan. 19. A person kayaking in the creek last Saturday spotted what they felt was a human body in the water and notified authorities. The Calhoun County Sheriff's Department Dive Team responded to the scene and made a recovery of the body. Cook had last been seen in the early morning hours of Jan. 19, about 1/2 mile from Rice Creek. The investigation into Cook's death continues, pending the result of an autopsy, but McDonald does not suspect foul play.

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Body found in Marshall creek

Police said it will take some time to determine whether a body about in Rice Creek is that of 28-year-old Courtney Cook who walked away from her Eagle Street home early Saturday, Jan. 19. Police said a kayaker spotted the body in the creek behind Green Street mid afternoon. See this weekend's Chronicle for more on this developing story.