Thursday, June 19, 2014

06192014 - Kent County Commissioner Gary Rolls - Convicted/Sentenced On Sex Charges Involving Minor

Kent County Commissioner Gary Rolls - CSC Charges
































Former county official guilty of sex crime sees restitution cut in half
Grand Rapids Press
December 10, 2015  
https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2015/12/former_county_commission_guilt.html







The former Kent County commissioner who admitted criminal sexual conduct with a young girl has seen the amount he will have to reimburse the state for its investigation drop from $32,495 to $15,883 after a judge ruled Michigan State Police could not include health benefits and similar expenses in the amount sought.

Gary Rolls, 49, spent less than a year in jail after he pleaded guilty May 13, 2014, to criminal sexual conduct, then tampering with evidence.

Rolls originally was charged with a more severe crime of first-degree criminal sexual conduct after the victim accused him of having a sexual relationship with her beginning in 1994 when she was 9.

But Rolls' attorney at the time, now Kent County District Court Judge Jeffrey O'Hara, discovered the victim lied about numerous details in the case, including her age when incidents occurred and when some photos used as evidence were taken.

The defense admitted the married father of four had sex with the alleged victim, but she was 16 or older when the sex occurred and claimed the woman was seeking revenge because Rolls refused to leave his wife to continue his relationship with the complainant.

Rolls ended up pleading to a lesser crime of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Kent County Circuit Court Judge Dennis Leiber ruled Monday that funds used to cover staff benefits could not be included by state law, only the actual wages.

The judge's decision led to Rolls' attorney and the state agreeing to the reduced amount.













Street Talk: Rotarians quiz Kent County Commission chair
Grand Rapids Business Journal 
January 23, 2015  
https://infoweb.newsbank.com/

Dan Koorndyk, chair of the Kent County Board of Commissioners, was a guest of the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids last week to give a short presentation on Kent County government.

District 16 County Commissioner David Bulkowski, who is a member of the downtown Rotary chapter, was present, too, and a couple of pointed comments by Koorndyk showed he was well aware of that. Bulkowski is one of just four Democrats on the 19-member commission. All the others are Republicans.

Koorndyk talked about what a successful year 2014 turned out to be for the county, which again got its Triple A bond rating from both Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s Investor Service, the highest possible. It allows the county to save a lot of money by issuing bonds at the lowest interest rate.

In his Q&A session, someone asked Koorndyk if there is any talk about merging Kent County government with Grand Rapids city government. Consolidation of local governments to avoid duplication of services has been promoted around the nation as more efficient. The idea was kicked around here in 2011 as the One Kent proposal put forth by business leaders.

Koorndyk replied that, no, there hasn’t been any talk about that. He said the city and county governments each deal with different issues.

“I don’t see that happening in the future,” he said, adding he is not sure it really works where it is being tried.

The successful transition from county management and operation of Gerald R. Ford International Airport — which the county owns — to a more independent airport authority, is one of the three big things Koorndyk thinks will happen in 2015. He noted the county successfully spun off John Ball Zoo in 2013, and “hopefully, the airport can go down the same path.”

Another question dealt with the issue of adding judges in Kent County courthouses to ease the load on existing judges. Will the county revisit that goal?

“Yes,” answered Koorndyk quickly, which drew chuckles from some of the Rotarians. He said he sees an opportunity coming in 2016 to push for the addition of another judge in Kent County.

On the issue of the county’s Triple A bond rating, Koorndyk mentioned the county used that rating to help the city of Grand Rapids get a better interest rate on its bonds to pay for new flood walls along the Grand River, a requirement by FEMA.

That prompted another question: Will the expensive new flood walls be torn down if the city tries to restore the rapids to the Grand River to spark more tourism?

Koorndyk said he wasn’t sure what the city was going to do, but he said the county would benefit from higher revenue collected through the hotel/motel use taxes.

One Rotarian asked Koorndyk to mention a county problem — anything, but “not solid waste” — for which he might have a solution. After a few moments of thought, Koorndyk said, “Make sure people running for public office are vetted better.” While the Rotarians laughed at that comment, he added, “We had a few problems last year.”

He was referring to the resignation of two county commissioners, Gary Rolls and Michael Wawee, both facing felony criminal charges in unrelated situations.













'He used my fear,' says victim of former Kent County Commissioner
Muskegon Chronicle
June 23, 2014   
http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2014/06/he_used_my_fear_says_victim_of.html

A young woman who says she was molested years ago by former Kent County Commissioner Gary Rolls told about the emotional and enduring scars in a courtroom Thursday.

"I have a very hard time trusting anyone," the woman said. "I have lived my life in fear. He always told me how important and powerful he was, and I believed him."

The woman, now 29 and living in Muskegon, described the long-term toll on her Thursday, in the moments before a judge sentenced Rolls to one year in jail and five years of probation.

Rolls in May pleaded guilty to fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, illegal use of a computer and tampering with evidence. He originally faced charges of first-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Rolls, who resigned as a commissioner in December, was accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a girl that started when she was 9 and turned to sex in her teen years. The relationship continued into her early 20s.

Prosecutors in May agreed to drop the more serious charges against Rolls because of conflicting evidence about when the sex started happening. Rolls' attorney, Jeff O'Hara, claimed it was after she turned 16.

Regardless of the legal twists and turns, the victim described Thursday how Rolls abused her, and Judge Dennis Leiber called him a "sexual predator."

The woman's family moved into Rolls' neighborhood when she was 9. She became a family friend and Rolls began touching her inappropriately, she testified earlier.

"I was a shy child, full of love. He stole that from me and turned it into fear," she said Thursday. "He told me I wasn't allowed to tell him no because he was the adult and I was the child. He told me he was doing these things because he loved me, and that I was too naive to know the difference."

The woman said the emotional impact has been long-lasting, that she was scared of Rolls.

"He used my fear to his advantage," she said. "I am so scared of what a real relationship is because the only thing I've ever known was his version."

Ionia County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Lori Kirkhoff, filling in for Kent County prosecutors, sought a tough sentence in part because police say Rolls tried to destroy evidence.

They say he sent a remote command to his iPad after police seized it, ordering it to erase memory.












Ex-Kent County commissioner gets jail in sex case
Associated Press
June 20, 2014  
https://infoweb.newsbank.com/

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — A former Kent County commissioner has received a one-year jail sentence after pleading guilty in a sex abuse case.

Authorities say that 47-year-old Gary Rolls had an inappropriate relationship with a neighborhood girl starting two decades ago when she was 9 years old.

Circuit Judge Judge Dennis Leiber also gave Rolls five years' probation at Thursday's sentencing in Grand Rapids.

He pleaded guilty May 13 to illegal use of a computer, tampering with evidence and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Rolls had been scheduled to stand trial in June on four counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct.

The victim tells the judge she now has "a very hard time trusting people."

Rolls resigned his county commission seat in December.












Judge sentences ex-Kent County commissioner to jail
Grand Rapids Business Journal
June 20, 2014  
https://infoweb.newsbank.com/

A former Kent County commissioner has received a jail sentence and probation after pleading guilty in a sex-abuse case.

Authorities said that 47-year-old Gary Rolls had an inappropriate relationship with a neighborhood girl, starting two decades ago when she was 9 years old.

Circuit Judge Judge Dennis Leiber sentenced Rolls to one year in jail and also gave Rolls five years probation at Thursday's sentencing in Grand Rapids.

He pleaded guilty May 13 to illegal use of a computer, tampering with evidence and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Rolls had been scheduled to stand trial in June on four counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct.

The victim told the judge she now has "a very hard time trusting people."

Rolls resigned his county commission seat in December.












Former official gets 1-year jail sentence
Grand Rapids Press
June 20, 2014  
http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2014/06/former_kent_county_commissione_4.html

Gary Rolls, the former Kent County commissioner accused of molesting a Muskegon girl years ago, has been sentenced to a year in jail.

Rolls, 48, said nothing when given the opportunity before Kent County Circuit Court Judge Dennis Leiber sentenced him Thursday.

Rolls has been in jail since May 13, when he pleaded guilty to charges of illegal use of a computer, tampering with evidence and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct.

He initially was charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct based on allegations involving a relationship he had with a Muskegon girl, a family friend, that began in 1994, when she was 9. The woman now is 29.

The more serious charges were dismissed when Rolls' attorney argued the evidence didn't add up to show any sex occurred before the girl turned 16.

Rolls resigned as a commissioner in December.

As part of the sentence, Leiber also ordered him to serve five years of probation. Rolls was given credit for the five weeks he already has served in jail.












Judge calls former Kent County Commissioner Gary Rolls a 'sexual predator'
MLive
Jun 19, 2014
https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2014/06/he_used_my_fear_says_victim_of.html







GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- A young woman who says she was molested years ago by former Kent County Commissioner Gary Rolls told about the emotional and enduring scars in a courtroom Thursday.

"I have a very hard time trusting anyone," the woman said. "I have lived my life in fear. He always told me how important and powerful he was, and I believed him."

The woman, now 29 and living in Muskegon, described the long-term toll on her Thursday, June 19, in the moments before a judge sentenced Rolls to one year in jail and five years probation.

Rolls in May pleaded guilty to fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, illegal use of a computer and tampering with evidence. He originally faced charges of first-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Rolls, who resigned as a commissioner in December, was accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a girl that started when she was 9 and turned to sex in her teen years. The relationship continued into her early 20s.

Prosecutors in May agreed to drop the more serious charges against Rolls because of conflicting evidence about when the sex started happening. Rolls' attorney, Jeff O'Hara, claimed it was after she turned 16.

Defense attorneys admitted the married father of four had sex with teen, but said it was in her later teen years.

Despite the legal twists and turns, the victim described Thursday how Rolls abused her and Judge Dennis Leiber called him a "sexual predator."

The woman's family moved into Rolls' neighborhood years ago, when she was 9. She became a family friend and Rolls began touching her inappropriately, she testified earlier.

"I was a shy child, full of love. He stole that from me and turned it into fear," she said Thursday.

"He told me I wasn't allowed to tell him no because he was the adult and I was the child," the woman said. "He told me he was doing these things because he loved me, and that I was too naive to know the difference."

The woman said the emotional impact on her has been long-lasting. She said she was scared of Rolls.

"I have a very hard time trusting anyone. He used my fear to his advantage," she said.

"I am so scared of what a real relationship is because the only thing I've ever known was his version," she said.

Recent years have left her with anxiety and stress. She is in counseling and, in the past, missed work because of the stress.

"But I know deep down I am a survivor and I will be strong one day," she said.

Ionia County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Lori Kirkhoff, filling in for Kent County prosecutors, sought a tough sentence in part because police say Rolls tried to destroy evidence.

They say he sent a remote command to his iPad after police seized it, ordering it to erase memory.

Kirkhoff also said Rolls has "had a hard time accepting responsibility for his actions" and blamed the victim to a pre-sentence investigator.

Rolls had no comment when asked by the judge if he wanted to say anything.












Sex offense lands former Kent County Commissioner Gary Rolls 1 year in jail
MLive
Jun 19, 2014
https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2014/06/former_kent_county_commissione_4.html







GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Gary Rolls, the embattled former Kent County commissioner accused of molesting a Muskegon girl years ago, has been sentenced to a year in jail.

Rolls, 48, said nothing when given the opportunity before Kent County Circuit Court Judge Dennis Leiber sentenced him Thursday, June 19.

Rolls has been in jail since May 13, when he pleaded guilty to fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, illegal use of a computer and tampering with evidence.

He initially was charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct over allegations involving a relationship he had with a Muskegon girl, a family friend, that began in 1994 when she was 9.

The woman is now 29.

The more serious charges were dismissed when Rolls' attorney argued the evidence didn't add up to show any sex occurred before the girl turned 16.

Rolls resigned as a commissioner in December 2013.

As part of the sentence, Leiber also ordered him to serve five years probation. He was given credit for the five weeks he already has served in jail.

Leiber said Rolls "lived two lives."

One was of a family man with an eye toward public service. The other was "a sexual predator who stopped at nothing to destroy evidence in the investigation of a possible major crime."

Police alleged Rolls sent a remote command to his iPad to erase its memory, knowing that police had seized it in a search warrant.












Plea deal reduces sex charges
Muskegon Chronicle
May 15, 2014
https://infoweb.newsbank.com/

The case against Gary Rolls has fundamentally fallen apart, leading to a deal that has the defendant -- once accused of felonies carrying harsh prison terms -- now facing at most a year in the jail he once oversaw as a Kent County commissioner.

Rolls quietly entered a guilty plea Tuesday to charges of illegal use of a computer, tampering with evidence and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, the least serious of Michigan's sexual misconduct laws.

Rolls, 47, was slated for a trial in Kent County Circuit Court on June 30 on four counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. Those charges carried a potential maximum of life in prison, had he been convicted.

The computer and tampering crimes are felonies, but fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct is a high-court misdemeanor with a two-year maximum penalty.

Last week, Rolls' attorney, Jeffrey O'Hara, filed legal briefs claiming Ionia County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Lori Kirkhoff has proof the alleged victim lied repeatedly about details contained in her allegations regarding Rolls.

Rolls was accused of having sex with a Muskegon girl with whom he began a relationship in 1994 when she was 9 years old. The woman is now 29.

O'Hara claimed the alleged victim lied about numerous details in the case, including about her age, when incidents occurred and when some photos held by the prosecution were taken.

The alleged victim reportedly told police she had photos sent to her in 1996 by Rolls of mutilated female genitalia. But O'Hara writes that tests done by the prosecution show the earliest date the photo paper could have been created was 2004.

"What is remarkable about these lies is their elaborateness," O'Hara writes. "The complainant stated repeatedly that the defendant gave her these female genital mutilation pictures when she was 12 years old and that the defendant made her carry them in her purse every day since 1996."

The defense has admitted the married father of four had sex with the alleged victim, but she was 16 or older when the sex occurred.

The defense claims the woman was seeking revenge on Rolls because he refused to leave his wife in order to continue his relationship with the complainant.

The accusations led to Rolls resigning his seat on the Kent County Commission.

Outside the courtroom, O'Hara did not wish to comment. Kirkhoff was not immediately available.

Rolls was remanded to jail pending his sentencing on June 19 before Judge Dennis Leiber.

"What is remarkable about these lies is their elaborateness."

Jeffrey O'hara, attorney for Gary Rolls, in a legal brief claiming the alleged victim lied about details.












Most serious sex charges dropped against ex-official commissioner
Grand Rapids Press
May 14, 2014  
http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2014/05/former_kent_county_commissione_3.html

The case against Gary Rolls fundamentally has fallen apart, leading to a deal that has the defendant -- once accused of felonies carrying harsh prison terms -- facing, at most, a year in the jail he once oversaw as a Kent County commissioner.

Rolls quietly entered a guilty plea Tuesday to charges of illegal use of a computer, tampering with evidence and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, the least serious of Michigan's sexual misconduct laws.

Rolls, 47, was slated for trial in Kent County Circuit Court on June 30 on four counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. Those charges carried a potential maximum of life in prison, had he been convicted.

The computer and tampering crimes are felonies, but fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct is a high-court misdemeanor with a two-year maximum penalty.

But last week, Rolls' attorney, Jeffrey O'Hara, filed legal briefs claiming Ionia County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Lori Kirkhoff has proof the alleged victim repeatedly lied about details in her allegations about Rolls.

Rolls was accused of having sex with a Muskegon girl with whom he began a relationship in 1994 when she was 9 years old. The woman now is 29.

O'Hara claimed the alleged victim lied about numerous details in the case, including about her age, when incidents occurred and when some photos held by the prosecution were taken.

The alleged victim reportedly told police she had photos sent to her in 1996 by Rolls of mutilated female genitalia. But O'Hara wrote that tests done by the prosecution showed the earliest date the photo paper could have been created was 2004.

"What is remarkable about these lies is their elaborateness," O'Hara wrote. "The complainant stated repeatedly that the defendant gave her these female genital mutilation pictures when she was 12 years old and that the defendant made her carry them in her purse every day since 1996."

O'Hara said the woman repeated the allegation regarding the photo to police and under oath during court hearings in Muskegon.

The defense has admitted the married father of four had sex with the alleged victim, but she was 16 or older when the sex occurred.

The defense claims the woman was seeking revenge on Rolls because he refused to leave his wife to continue his relationship with the complainant.

The accusations led to Rolls resigning his seat on the Kent County Commission.

Outside the courtroom, O'Hara did not want to make a comment. Kirkhoff was not immediately available.

Rolls was remanded to jail pending his sentencing June 19 before Judge Dennis Leiber.












Former Kent County official pleads in sex case
Associated Press State Wire
May 13, 2014  
https://infoweb.newsbank.com/

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — A former Kent County commissioner has pleaded guilty in a sex case.

Gary Rolls faces at most a year in jail as part of a deal with prosecutors.

The 47-year-old pleaded guilty Tuesday to illegal use of a computer, tampering with evidence and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Rolls had been scheduled to stand trial next month on four counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, charges that carry a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Rolls was accused of having sex with a girl with whom he began a relationship when she was 9. The woman is now in her 20s.

Defense lawyer Jeffrey O'Hara says the woman lied about numerous details.

Rolls resigned his county commission seat.












Former Kent County Commissioner Gary Rolls' plea deal has most serious sex charges dropped
Muskegon Chronicle
May 13, 2014  
https://infoweb.newsbank.com/

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The case against Gary Rolls has fundamentally fallen apart, leading to a deal that has the defendant - once accused of felonies carrying harsh prison terms - now facing at most a year in the jail he once oversaw as a Kent County commissioner.

Rolls quietly entered a guilty plea on Tuesday, May 13, to charges of illegal use of a computer, tampering with evidence and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, the least serious of Michigan's sexual misconduct laws.

Rolls, 47, was slated for a trial in Kent County Circuit Court on June 30 on four counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. Those charges carried a potential maximum of life in prison, had he been convicted.

The computer and tampering crimes are felonies, but fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct is a high-court misdemeanor with a two-year maximum penalty.

But last week Rolls’ attorney, Jeffrey O’Hara, filed legal briefs claiming that Ionia County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Lori Kirkhoff has proof that the alleged victim lied repeatedly about details contained in her allegations regarding Rolls.

Rolls was accused of having sex with a Muskegon girl with whom he began a relationship in 1994 when she was 9 years old. The woman is now 29.

O’Hara claimed the alleged victim lied about numerous details in the case, including about her age, when incidents occurred, and when some photos held by the prosecution were taken.

The alleged victim reportedly told police she had photos sent to her in 1996 by Rolls of mutilated female genitalia. But O’Hara writes that tests done by the prosecution show that the earliest date the photo paper could have been created was 2004.

“What is remarkable about these lies is their elaborateness,” O’Hara writes. “The complainant stated repeatedly that the defendant gave her these female genital mutilation pictures when she was 12 years old and that the defendant made her carry them in her purse every day since 1996.”

O’Hara said the woman repeated the allegation regarding the photo to police and under oath during court hearings in Muskegon.

The defense has admitted the married father of four had sex with the alleged victim, but she was 16 or older when the sex occurred.

The defense claims the woman was seeking revenge on Rolls because he refused to leave his wife in order to continue his relationship with the complainant.

The accusations led to Rolls resigning his seat on the Kent County Commission.

Outside the courtroom, O’Hara did not wish to make a comment. Kirkhoff was not immediately available.

Rolls was remanded to jail pending his sentencing on June 19 before Judge Dennis Leiber.

Thursday, June 12, 2014

06122014 - Detroit PD Officer Anna Hamilton Barton - Murdered by husband, Damon Barton







On June 12, 2014, Detroit Police Officer Anna Hamilton Barton was shot and killed by her husband Damon Barton. At the time of her murder, Officer Hamilton was considering filing for divorce from her husband - who had a known violent past.







When Damon Barton murdered Officer Anna Hamilton Barton, he knew she wanted to end their marriage. He was on parole at the time he murdered his wife: first-degree home invasion, assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, assault with intent to commit murder, and felonious assault, in connection to the break-up of a pervious relationship in 1986.











Detroit police officer found dead in Redford Twp. murder-suicide

A Detroit Police officer was among two people found dead in a Redford Township home late this morning in what police are classifying as a murder-suicide, Redford Police officials said.

Officers were dispatched to a residence in the 9900 block of Kinloch Street at 11:39 a.m. in Redford Township for a report of a possible homicide. Responding officers found two deceased subjects.

No suspects are actively being sought, police said.

One of the deceased has been identified as 50-year-old Anna Hamilton.

Detroit Police Chief James Craig did not identify the officer, but said she a 16-year veteran of the department and was “well loved and liked by her co-workers.”

Based on the information he has received, Craig said the incident appears to be domestic.

Craig said the officer works an overnight shift. He said other officers had spoken with her this morning and did not detect any problems.













Detroit Cop Killed in Suspected Murder Suicide With Husband
Deadline Detroit
June 12, 2014, 2:54 PM 

A Detroit cop was found murdered in her Redford Township home Thursday in what appears to be a murder-suicide involving her husband.

Redford Township Police told Deadline Detroit that police were dispatched to the 9900 block of Kinloch Street around 11:40 a.m. where they found two bodies. 

Police declined to release the names of the people.

But WDIV reported that family members at the scene identified the officer as Anna Hamilton, mother of three adult children, who was married for three years to Damon Barton. Hamilton worked the night shift.

Family members told WDIV that they believe Barton killed Hamilton before killing himself.

Detroit Police Chief James Craig said, according to WDIV:
"It appears that a Detroit police officer was murdered. Domestic situation it appears now. Being investigated by the state police and Redford Township. This has touched many, many in our DPD family."













Detroit police chief says officer found killed in Redford Township home
Family says husband killed police officer in apparent murder-suicide
Click On Detroit
Jun 12, 2014





















REDFORD TOWNSHIP, Mich. - Detroit Police Chief James Craig says one of his officers has been murdered in her home. 

Craig said the body of the veteran patrol officer was found Thursday in her home on Kinloch Street in Redford Township. 

Craig said she had just returned home from her overnight shift. 

"It appears that a Detroit police officer was murdered. Domestic situation it appears now. Being investigated by the state police and Redford Township," Craig said. "This has touched many, many in our DPD family."

Family members on the scene identified the victim to Local 4 as Anna Hamilton, adding that she has three adult children and had only been married to her husband, Damon Barton, for three years. 

Family members on the scene described it as a murder-suicide, saying Barton killed Hamilton before killing himself.

Neighbors Local 4 spoke with said they didn't hear any sounds, but saw Redford Township police rush to the home with guns drawn. 

"I saw several police cars. When they got out of their vehicles, they had their shotguns drawn," said neighbor Tom Ivan. 













Detroit police chief says officer found killed in Redford Township home














Police: Detroit police officer found dead after apparent murder-suicide in Redford Twp.




















Police: Detroit police officer found dead after apparent murder-suicide in Redford Twp.
MyFOXDetroit.com
Jun 12, 2014





REDFORD, Mich (WJBK) -- Family members hug one another as Redford police and state police detectives investigate an apparent murder-suicide on the 9900 block of Kinloch in Redford Township. 

Office Anna Hamilton, a 16-year-veteran of the Detroit Police Department, was found shot and killed. Her husband Damon Barton was also dead by gunshot. 

Both were found in their home Thursday around 11 a.m.

Detroit City Council President Brenda Jones immediately attended a grief counseling session at the northwest district where Hamilton was assigned. 

"Something had happened with the husband, don't know exactly what the situation was, killed her and then killed himself," Jones says. 

Neighbor Paul Cobb said the victim's family members described the same scenario. 

"He had shot her and called his brother and basically said, 'I did it', and then shot himself afterwards, and I guess his brother came over, and I guess his brother was the one that called 911," says Cobb. 

Redford police confirmed a family member arrived and called 911, but Redford authorities and the state police, for now, are not describing who shot whom. 

Cobb says Hamilton was seeking a divorce. 

"She was in the process of wanting to get a divorce and he was, obviously, not happy about it," he says. "Friends and family had actually given her money to get a divorce on Mother's Day. That was one of the gifts that they gave her."

Colleagues on the Detroit Police Department who worked with Hamilton are crushed with the news. 

"Well, I can't comment on the situation and normally we're not necessarily supposed to comment, but this I can say because she was an outstanding woman, outstanding officer and she was a friend. She was a friend to all of us. She was a great hugger, great encourager, and the stuff we go through in this city, it's officers like that that make your job better," says Steve Kanakis of the Detroit Police Department. 

The couple had two adult children. The family has declined to comment. 

Hamilton served 16 years on the force. She is said to have currently been working as a patrol officer but had previously worked in the narcotics unit. 













Neighbors, police in 'total shock' after Detroit officer killed in apparent murder-suicide


Redford Township — An off-duty veteran Detroit police officer who received a life-saving citation her first year on the job was killed by her husband Thursday morning in what police are calling a murder-suicide.

Redford Township police were called at 11:39 a.m. to the 9900 block of Kinloch, where officers forced their way inside and found the couple dead, police said.

Detroit Police Chief James Craig said the incident appeared to be a murder-suicide.

“This is tragic,” said Craig. “I’ve had a chance to talk with a number of her fellow officers, who all expressed tremendous sadness. She was well-respected by many. I looked at her personnel file, and she received a lifesaving citation her first year.

“One of the officers I spoke with referred to her as a mother figure. He said he spoke with her this morning, and that he didn’t detect any problems. He’s in total shock.”

Police and neighbors identified the officer as Anna Hamilton, a 17-year veteran, and said she had lived in the home for a few years.

On Thursday afternoon Redford police, Detroit police and Michigan State Police cars blocked off the streets surrounding the home as investigators worked inside. The front door was open and curtains blew outside an open side window.

Craig said Michigan State Police are investigating the incident.

As of Thursday evening police did not yet know what the circumstances were that led to the shooting, according to Detroit Police Spokesman Adam Madera.

Redford Detective Sgt. Kevin Crittenden said a family member called police, saying an incident had occurred at the house.

Neighbors said they didn’t hear any gunfire.

Tom Ivan and another neighbor, Paul Cobb, said Hamilton was a friendly person.

“She was a good person,” Cobb said. “This is a neighborhood where we would mow each other’s grass, shovel each other’s snow. We helped each other out all the time. She always believed in giving people a second chance.”

The officer, who joined the police force in 1998, spent time at the 6th Precinct and the Narcotics Section. She once talked a disturbed man out of killing his family, after he’d held them hostage and threatened to burn his house down.

“She was very committed to her job,” Craig said. “This is a tremendous loss to both the Detroit Police family and the citizens of Detroit.”












Death of police officer Anna Hamilton
Detroit Police Department Facebook
June 13, 2014














Death of police officer Anna Hamilton
Detroit Police Lieutenants & Sergeants Association Facebook
June 13, 2014














Detroit police officer, husband found dead in Redford Township identified
Detroit Free Press
June 13, 2014


A Detroit police officer, found dead in her Redford Township home Thursday, was killed and her husband committed suicide, according to the Wayne County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Anna Hamilton-Barton, 50, suffered multiple gunshot wounds and her death was ruled a homicide, said Mary Mazur, a spokeswoman for the medical examiner’s office. The woman’s 47-year-old husband, Damon Barton, died from a single gunshot wound to the head, and his death was ruled a suicide, Mazur said.

Hamilton-Barton was a Detroit police officer.

She and her husband were found dead in their home in the 9900 block of Kinloch. Redford Township police said they were dispatched to the home at about 11:39 a.m. on a report of a possible homicide. On Thursday, police said they were not seeking any suspects and said the investigation was ongoing.

Redford Township police declined to release additional information today.

The Detroit Police Department issued this statement today on its Facebook page:
“Today is a very tragic day for our Detroit Police Department family as we mourn the loss of Police Officer Anna Hamilton. While the circumstances of her death are still being investigated, let us continue to band together in unity and support one another.”

Chief James Craig said the officer worked an overnight shift and was a 16-year veteran of the department. He said she was “well-loved” by her coworkers.













Autopsy: Husband pulled trigger in Redford Twp. murder-suicide
myFOXDetroit.com
Jun 13, 2014


(WJBK) - The Wayne County medical examiner's office is listing the deaths of an off-duty Detroit police officer and her husband as a murder-suicide.

Autopsy results Friday show 50-year-old Anna Hamilton-Barton suffered multiple gunshot wounds, while 47-year-old Damon Barton died of a self-inflicted gunshot to his head

Their bodies were found  Thursday at about 11:40 a.m. in the house the couple shared on the 9900 block of Kinloch in Redford Township. 

Fox 2 is told Damon has a criminal record, spent time in jail twice and was paroled last year. Neighbors say Anna was in the process of seeking a divorce. 

Hamilton served 16 years on the force. She is said to have currently been working as a patrol officer but had previously worked in the narcotics unit. 













Husband who killed Detroit cop had violent past
The Detroit News
June 13, 2014
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140613/METRO01/306130092/Husband-who-killed-Detroit-cop-had-violent-past



The man who shot his Detroit Police Officer wife in their home Thursday before turning the gun on himself had a violent criminal past, and was on parole at the time of the shooting, records show.

Redford Township Police say Damon Barton, 47, shot and killed his wife, 17-year Detroit Police veteran Anna Hamilton-Barton, 50, before committing suicide. Their bodies were found inside their home Thursday morning after a family member dialed 911.

Court records show Hamilton-Barton filed for divorce in April 2012, although the case was dismissed in July 2012 for non-appearance.

State records also show Barton was convicted of numerous violent offenses.

Barton was convicted in 1986 of carrying a concealed weapon and careless discharge of a weapon causing death. He spent four years in prison before being paroled in 1990.

In 1996, Barton was convicted of home invasion and spent 17 years in prison. He was paroled in March 2013, and was to remain on parole until March 2015.

Hamilton-Barton, who received a life-saving citation her first year on the job, worked several details during her career, including the 6th Precinct and Narcotics Section. The news of her slaying was a shock to those who knew her, and several Detroit Police officers changed their Facebook profiles to a badge adorned with a black band in her memory.

“She was an intelligent police officer who was well-liked by her co-workers,” said retired Detroit Police Officer David Malhalab, who worked with her at the 6th Precinct, where she was a member of that precinct’s Special Operations unit. “She’s one of those officers you enjoyed working with. She was always professional and pleasant.”

Tom Ivan and another neighbor, Paul Cobb, said Hamilton-Barton was friendly.

“She was a good person,” Cobb said. “This is a neighborhood where we would mow each other’s grass, shovel each other’s snow. We helped each other out all the time. She always believed in giving people a second chance.”

The officer, who joined the police force in 1998, spent time at the 6th Precinct and the Narcotics Section. She once talked a disturbed man out of killing his family, after he’d held them hostage and threatened to burn his house down.













Autopsy: Off-duty officer shot multiple times
Shooting deaths of off-duty Detroit police officer, husband investigated as murder-suicide
The Elkhart Truth
June 13, 2014
REDFORD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — The Wayne County medical examiner’s office is listing the deaths of an off-duty Detroit police officer and her husband as a murder-suicide.

Autopsy results Friday show 50-year-old Anna Hamilton-Barton suffered multiple gunshot wounds, while 47-year-old Damon Barton died of a self-inflicted gunshot to his head.

Their bodies were found about 11:40 a.m. Thursday in the house the couple shared in Redford Township, west of Detroit. Redford Township police have said they were “not actively seeking any suspects.”

Family members told WXYZ-TV that the couple had been having marriage problems.

Detroit Police Chief James Craig has said the officer was a 16-year veteran of the department.













Autopsy: Off-duty officer shot multiple times 
Herald Palladium
June 13, 2014

REDFORD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — The Wayne County medical examiner's office is listing the deaths of an off-duty Detroit police officer and her husband as a murder-suicide.

Autopsy results Friday show 50-year-old Anna Hamilton-Barton suffered multiple gunshot wounds, while 47-year-old Damon Barton died of a self-inflicted gunshot to his head.

Their bodies were found about 11:40 a.m. Thursday in the house the couple shared in Redford Township, west of Detroit. Redford Township police have said they were "not actively seeking any suspects."

Family members told WXYZ-TV that the couple had been having marriage problems.

Detroit Police Chief James Craig has said the officer was a 16-year veteran of the department.













Off-Duty Officer Shot Multiple Times
WLNS News
Jun 13, 2014

REDFORD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) - The Wayne County medical examiner's office is listing the deaths of an off-duty Detroit police officer and her husband as a murder-suicide.

Autopsy results Friday show 50-year-old Anna Hamilton-Barton suffered multiple gunshot wounds, while 47-year-old Damon Barton died of a self-inflicted gunshot to his head.

Their bodies were found about 11:40 a.m. Thursday in the house the couple shared in Redford Township, west of Detroit. Redford Township police have said they were "not actively seeking any suspects."

Family members say the couple had been having marriage problems.

Detroit Police Chief James Craig has said the officer was a 16-year veteran of the department.













Officer and husband found shot to death in home
WWMT TV News
June 13 2014
http://www.wwmt.com/shared/news/features/state/stories/wwmt_-officer-husband-found-shot-death-home-4878.shtml#.U5zFVuqYYiQ








DETROIT (NEWS CHANNEL 3) - An off-duty Detroit police officer and her husband have been found shot to death at their home.

Officers found the bodies just before noon Thursday while responding to a report of a possible homicide.

Family members say Officer Anna Hamilton and her husband were having marriage problems.

Police say it's still early in the investigation, but it's possible Hamilton was the victim of a murder-suicide.

"They were always ah, pretty close to each other, you know? Always helped each other out. She was always a good person, she always believed in giving people second chances she believed in god you know, very much so," said neighbor Paul Cobb. 

The Detroit Police Chief says Officer Hamilton was a respected officer.

She had been serving the city for 16-years.












Funeral arrangements set for Detroit police officer killed
Detroit Free Press
June 17, 2014

Funeral arrangements have been made for a Detroit police officer, who was found fatally shot in her Redford Township home last week. Her husband had committed suicide.

Anna Hamilton-Barton’s death was ruled a homicide by the Wayne County Medical Examiner’s Office, which ruled her husband Damon Barton’s death a suicide. He died from a single gunshot would to the head, a spokeswoman for the medical examiner’s office previously told the Free Press.

The Detroit Police Department posted on its Facebook page that visitation for Hamilton-Barton will be held 1-5 p.m. Wednesday at Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ, 19190 Schaefer. The family hour will be at the church at 10 a.m. Thursday and at 11 a.m. that day services will be conducted.
Hamilton-Barton will be interred at Grand Lawn Cemetery, 23501 Grand River, in Detroit, according to the police department.












Autopsy: Off-Duty Michigan Officer Shot Multiple Times 
The Monroe News
June 14, 2014
REDFORD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — The Wayne County medical examiner's office is listing the deaths of an off-duty Detroit police officer and her husband as a murder-suicide.

Autopsy results Friday show 50-year-old Anna Hamilton-Barton suffered multiple gunshot wounds, while 47-year-old Damon Barton died of a self-inflicted gunshot to his head.

Their bodies were found about 11:40 a.m. Thursday in the house the couple shared in Redford Township, west of Detroit. Redford Township police have said they were "not actively seeking any suspects."

Family members told WXYZ-TV that the couple had been having marriage problems.

Detroit Police Chief James Craig has said the officer was a 16-year veteran of the department.













Detroit police name domestic violence initiative after fallen officer
The Detroit News
September 11, 2014
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140911/METRO01/309110109
                                     

Detroit —Detroit police on Thursday remembered one of their own by naming in her honor a citywide initiative to capture suspects wanted on domestic violence charges.

Operation Smurfette, the code name of 17-year veteran Anna Hamilton-Barton when she was assigned to the department’s narcotics unit, is designed to capture fugitives of domestic violence, said Detroit Police Chief James Craig before a 9/11 memorial service in Campus Martius.

By Thursday night, Operation Smurfette had netted 56 arrests — 48 males and eight females, according to the department.

On June 12, Hamilton-Barton, 50, was fatally shot in her home by her estranged husband Damon Barton, 47. He then turned the gun on himself.

Court records show Hamilton-Barton filed for divorce in April 2012, although the case was dismissed in July 2012 for non-appearance. State records show Barton was convicted of numerous violent offenses.

Detroit police are focusing their efforts on apprehending 264 wanted on domestic violence charges. Craig said the department will find and arrest the remainder through October, which is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Craig described domestic violence as a form of terrorism that can destroy lives.

“I have often times talked about urban terrorism ... gang members who create violence in our community, who I consider urban terrorists,” said Craig. “We also have terrorism in many of our homes. We are talking about incidents of domestic violence.”

In 2013, a total of 7,735 domestic violence cases were reported in the city. Included are cases involving property crimes, aggravated assaults involving weapons, robbery and rape. To date in 2014, 5,548 cases have been reported with 2,474 warrants being submitted.

Craig said the city has seen a 4 percent increase in aggravated assaults. He said 24 percent of aggravated assaults are the result of domestic violence. And often times, domestic violence suspects are repeat offenders.

Hamilton-Barton served with distinction and commitment, said Craig. She received a life-saving citation her first year on the job, worked several details during her career, including in the 6th Precinct and the narcotics section.

Hamilton-Barton’s adult children, Sequoya Vance and Devante Hamilton, joined Craig at the event.

Vance said she appreciates the support the department and residents have shown her family.

She said naming the initiative in honor of her mother was not only a sweet gesture but it also showed that her mother’s work as a police officer was not in vain.


“My mom loved being an officer,” Vance said. “She would always say that this was the job that God provided her with, so she wanted to do it to the best of her ability. I am so glad and proud that her work was appreciated and still is and that in her memory they are still fighting to help people who are domestic violence victims.”