By JAMES MITCHELL
Sunday Times Newspapers
TAYLOR — Two men remain in custody without bond while awaiting a postponed preliminary examination of the evidence against them in 23rd District Court for a shooting that left a man in critical condition.
Police Chief Mary Sclabassi said the victim of a home invasion which ended in gunfire remained hospitalized after being shot in the head during the assault.
Jeremy Jay Jones, 33, and William Wayne Chaffin, 26, stood accused of more than a dozen crimes related to a Feb. 10 home invasion in the 7500 block of Wilkie. A preliminary exam is scheduled for tomorrow before 23rd District Court Judge William Sutherland.
Jones faces 10 charges including assault with intent to murder, felony firearms possession, armed robbery and first degree home invasion.
Police and prosecutors said Chaffin became involved after the home invasion, and faces three counts including receiving and concealing stolen property and felony firearm possession.
Court officials said last week that a preliminary exam had been scheduled for last week but was rescheduled by the court. Jones and Chaffin remained in custody without bond pending Monday’s hearing, and the charges are expected to be bound over to Wayne County Circuit Court.
According to police reports, homeowner John Henry and his girlfriend returned about 9:30 p.m. and found a burglar in their home. Henry was shot in the head during the encounter, and the burglar fled while Henry’s girlfriend called 911.
Jones — a neighbor of the victim — and Chaffin were identified as suspects within two days of the shooting and were taken custody that week. Sclabassi said the investigation identified Chaffin as a contact Jones made after the home invasion to help sell stolen goods.
Both Jones and Chaffin have prior felony convictions and are on probation.
(James Mitchell can be reached at [email protected])