HOWELL (AP) — A judge says a jury can hear testimony that a 69-year-old man accused of a road-rage killing in southeastern Michigan was involved in a similar but non-fatal confrontation previously.
Livingston County Circuit Judge Miriam Cavanaugh made the ruling last Thursday at a pretrial hearing for Martin Zale. The Marion Township man faces an open murder charge in the Sept. 2 killing of 43-year-old Derek Flemming of Oceola Township.
Authorities say Flemming got out of his car at Genoa Township intersection to ask Zale about his aggressive driving, and Zale shot him in the head.
Cavanaugh says prosecutors can introduce evidence about Zale’s previous road-rage case in Livonia. If Zale pleads self-defense, the judge says his lawyers can introduce evidence that Flemming also was known as aggressive.
A May trial is expected.
- Posted March 02, 2015
- Tweet This | Share on Facebook
Jury allowed to hear of suspect's aggressive past
headlines Oakland County
- Whitmer signs gun violence prevention legislation
- Department of Attorney General conducts statewide warrant sweep, arrests 9
- Adoptive families across Michigan recognized during Adoption Day and Month
- Reproductive Health Act signed into law
- Case study: Documentary highlights history of courts in the Eastern District
headlines National
- A dozen ways that bar licensure could change in 2026
- DOJ sues state officials over laws protecting immigrants at courthouses
- Practical guidance for ethically changing law firms
- ‘Christmas Lawyer’ uses settlement with homeowners association on more holiday decorations
- Building the case for trial in the last 60 days
- Legal tech GCs, chief legal officers reflect on 2025, share vision for 2026
