Stories I’ve written about court and crime. While these kinds of stories can be difficult to write, as a journalist there is a responsibility to inform the community and so I’ve been able to take pride in doing so.
Case against former MSP sergeant charged with murder of Samuel Sterling heading to federal court
Despite being employed by MSP, a judge ruled that Keely was acting as a federal officer at the time. Therefore, the case will be heard in federal court. Photo credit: WZZM 13 Note: This is a story I wrote for WZZM 13 in August of 2024. The original can be found here. KENTWOOD, Mich. —…
Federal Appeals Court: Lyoya family’s civil case against former GRPD officer can move forward
Lyoya’s family is suing Schurr in the civil suit. They allege that Schurr used excessive force when he shot and killed Lyoya during a traffic stop in 2022. Photo credit: Associated Press Note: This is a story I wrote for WZZM 13 in September of 2024. The original can be found here. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.…
‘She did everything right’ | Court documents detail how woman escaped alleged attacker, leading to his arrest
After a man followed her, crashed into her car, and allegedly assaulted her at a gas station, authorities say this woman did everything right to lead to his arrest. Photo credit: Ottawa County Jail Note: This is a story I wrote for WZZM 13 in September of 2024. The original can be found here. There…
4 minutes, 4 thieves, $30,000 in merchandise stolen from Saranac dispensary
Store management say burglars were in the shop for just four minutes and made “a pretty good mess of the place.” Photo credit: WZZM 13 Note: This is a story I wrote for WZZM 13 in December of 2024. The original can be found here. SARANAC, Mich. — Ionia County deputies are investigating a robbery…
Body found in Rothbury identified as man who went missing from festival in 2018
Kevin Graves went missing from the Electric Forest festival in July of 2018. It was his first time attending the annual event. Photo credit: WZZM 13 Note: This is a story I wrote for WZZM 13 in January of 2025. The original can be found here. ROTHBURY, Mich. — Forensic anthropologists have positively identified a…
Court documents detail what led up to the arrest of Ravenna HS teacher for alleged inappropriate relationship with student
Court documents detailed the student had told her sister she had lost her virginity to her teacher, Paul Masko. Photo credit: WZZM 13 Note: This is a story I wrote for WZZM 13 in February of 2025. The original can be found here. RAVENNA, Mich. — On Feb. 7, a special education teacher from Ravenna High…
Court documents detail crimes a Michigan couple is accused of, leading to their arrest in Mexico
Photo credit: Lindsey Hull Court documents allege the couple illegally sold their timeshare benefits to third parties. Here’s what that means. Note: This is a story I wrote for WZZM 13 in March of 2025. The original can be found here. It’s now been 23 days since a Jackson, Michigan couple got off a plane…
What was the agreement that secured a Michigan couple’s release from a Mexican prison?
Photo credit: WZZM 13 Paul and Christy Akeo’s plane landed in Michigan overnight after a timeshare dispute locked them in a Mexican prison. We now know how they secured their release. Note: This is a story I wrote for WZZM 13 in April of 2025. The original can be found here. “Each party regrets that…
Brielle Meyer 