By JAMES MITCHELL
Sunday Times Newspapers
TRENTON — A man and woman charged in what police called a drug- or gang-related shooting are scheduled to face a jury in April and face lengthy prison terms if convicted of multiple felonies.
Berquette Ali Wahla, 22, was arraigned last month on two felony weapons charges; Paatsy Carol Gregg, 50, was charged with five felonies including two assault charges. On Jan. 10, Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Margaret Van Houten held a calendar conference, heard motions from attorneys and scheduled a final conference next month en route to a trial in April.
According to Trenton police reports, Wahla and Gregg were arrested in late November, within 12 hours after allegedly confronting a man outside the Nottingham Knolls apartments in the 3600 block of Van Horn Road. Neighbors reported having heard arguments and gunfire, and responding police found a 31-year-old man who had suffered non life-threatening injuries from gunshot wounds.
Provided with descriptions, police located Wahla and Gregg at an apartment complex in Flat Rock.
The two were originally charged in 33rd District Court with assault with intent to murder before being bound over on lesser charges. Whala had been released from prison in 2012 after serving three years for felony firearms and assault.
Wahla stands charged with two counts of felony weapons possession; Gregg with five counts including assault with intent to do great bodiy harm less than murder and aggravated assault. They remained in custody on, respectively, $250,000 and $150,000 cash bond.
(James Mitchell can be reached at [email protected])