By JAMES MITCHELL
Sunday Times Newspapers
TAYLOR – Open murder charges against two Taylor men accused of murdering and mutilating a 38-year-old River Rouge man await the results of psychiatric competency evaluations before proceeding in court.
Following a preliminary examination of the evidence against them before 23rd District Court Judge Geno Salomone June 13, competency evaluations were ordered for Wesley D. Brown, 35, and his brother, Adam L. Brown.
Police and prosecutors said the two brothers murdered and mutilated Michael Lee Stratford, who was last seen at the older Brown’s home in the 22100 block of Brian Street on Saturday, May 7. Stratford’s body was discovered a week later in an Ypsilanti field.
Wesley Brown stands accused of open murder and disinterment of a dead body. His brother was charged with disinterment and mutilation of a dead body and as an accessory after-the-fact.
A probable cause conference held earlier this month confirmed that police and prosecutors submitted sufficient evidence for the charges to continue.
The Brown brothers remained in custody; Wesley Brown was denied bond and Adam Brown was held on a $1 million bond.
(James Mitchell can be reached at [email protected])