3-4-2014 Michigan:1)Body of Steven Day, 54, was found in a ditch in Grand Rapids, MI, on December 18[ 2)He reportedly admitted the molestation of a five-year-old relative to his sister but was never charged or convicted; 3)Robert McCombs, 63, and Roger Musick, 38, charged with tampering with evidence
The murder of a man found in a snowy ditch could be linked to the victim's recent admission that he molested a young relative 35 years ago, police have said.
Steven Day, 54, was found in the ditch in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on December 18 - it is not yet clear how he died.
Kent County Sheriff's Detective Martin Albert said he found evidence at Day's home that suggested he he had admitted to molesting a five-year-old relative, 35 years ago.
At the time of his death Day had never been charged or prosecuted for any molestation crime.
But he was taking part in the Salvation Army's 12-step 'Turning Point' program for which Mr Day wrote that he committed the molestation, authorities said.
The program is intended to help participants confront their demons, particularly with addictions.
Detective Albert testified that Mr Day's sister was helping with the murder investigation and had told him her brother had admitted the molestation of a five-year-old relative about 35 years ago.
At a probate hearing yesterday (March 3) Kent County prosecutors outlined evidence that could be a motive for the killing.a Grand Rapids man's December homicide could be linked to allegations.
Shortly after Day's death police arrested two Grand Rapids men Robert Stewart McCombs, 63, and Roger Jay Musick, 38.
They have been charged with tampering with evidence as part of a conspiracy.
Mr Day had been seen with both men at around 4am the previous day celebrating Mr McCombs's 63rd birthday.
A detective who analyzed the cell phones of both Mr Musick and Mr McCombs told Michigan's M LIve text messages had been sent between the two the day the body was found.
McCombs allegedly wrote: 'You OK? The world is a better place today and one little girl can sleep tonight because her monster is gone.'
Musick allegedly replied: 'True'.
Prosecutors have yet to reveal why they believe McCombs or Musick knew about Day's secret. ..Source.. by Ben Endley
Men connected to homicide victim Steven Day accept plea deals, still no murder charges
2-10-15:
GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Two men have admitted to moving the body of a man slain more than a year ago, but no one has been charged with murder.
Roger Jay Musick and Robert Stewart McCombs were slated for trial Monday, Feb. 9, in Kent County Circuit Court but instead entered pleas to charges of tampering with evidence and face sentences of more than 10 years in prison when they appear before the judge March 3.
Police say they moved the body of Steven Day around Dec. 17, 2013, after he was killed at a home at 1422 Wealthy St. SE. This was around the same time the 54-year-old was strangled to death according to the Kent County Medical Examiner.
The defendants' housemate testified last year in a Grand Rapids District Court
hearing where he said he saw a drunken-appearing Day at the home he shared with 39-year-old Musick and McCombs in the early morning hours of Dec. 17.
The witness said the three men sounded and acted drunk as they celebrated McCombs' 63rd birthday. The witness said he heard some bizarre and angry exchanges and, sometime later, the sound of stumbling down the stairs as McCombs' van waited idling outside the Southeast Side home.
Day's body was discovered in a ditch along 16 Mile Road NE where the road dead-ends, east of Myers Lake Avenue.
The death has been ruled a homicide by Medical Examiner Stephen Cohle who concluded the cause of Day's death was strangulation.
Police have indicated they have a potential motive for Day's death as well as suspicious texts between the defendants, but no one has been charged with the murder.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, charges of lying to investigators will be dropped against McCombs, but he still pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence as a third-felony offender which ups his penalty from 10 years to 20 years or more. Had there been a trial, McCombs would have been required to testify.
Musick pleaded no contest to evidence tampering and faces a sentence of 10 years or more next month.
Both are housed at the Kent County Jail. ..Source.. by Barton Deiters
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