State police investigate death of Ann Arbor woman at Ypsilanti Township motel
A woman was found dead at Your Motel, located at 829 E. Michigan Ave.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
Sheriff’s department spokesman Derrick Jackson confirmed Sunday that state police are investigating the death of a 37-year-old Ann Arbor woman at Your Motel at 829 East Michigan Avenue.
Authorities have not released the woman’s name. Jackson said there are no obvious signs of foul play and it’s possible drugs contributed to the death, but the Washtenaw County Medical Examiner’s Office is still investigating. An autopsy was conducted Saturday, but a cause and manner of death have not yet been determined, officials at the medical examiner's office said.
The sheriff's department asked Friday afternoon for state police to investigate, Jackson said, because the deputies are believed to be among the last people to have had contact with the woman.
An internal investigation also is under way, but the deputies, whom Jackson did not identify, have not been placed on leave.
The deputies dropped the woman off after responding to a dispute Thursday night in the township on Russell Court, which isn't far from the motel. The woman was having a verbal argument with her boyfriend, who asked deputies to get her a hotel room and gave them money, Jackson said. Jackson said he didn't know whether the boyfriend specified a hotel.
Deputies say they dropped the woman off at the motel.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
Patel said the deputy paid for the room and told him, "You need to know, she's drunk."
The woman didn't check in at the office and Patel didn't see her. Patel said the deputy left. Patel didn't see anyone enter the woman's room or any cars park in front of the room after the deputy left.
At 10:45 a.m. Friday, Patel called the woman's room to remind her to check out at 11 a.m., he said, but got no answer. He stopped by her room at 11 a.m. and started knocking on the door. Fifteen minutes later, after getting no response, he unlocked the door and saw the woman slumped over in a chair.
He called out to her and when she didn't respond, dialed 911. It was the first time he had ever seen her, he said.
"I said, 'I need a police officer, there's something wrong with this woman," he recalls telling the dispatcher. He said he didn't step inside the room, so he didn't get a chance to look around.
It's not the first time deputies have gotten a room for a woman, he said. Six months ago, he said several sheriff's deputies got a room for another woman and it wasn't a problem.
State police could not be reached for comment Sunday.
Jackson said he doesn't know whether deputies searched the woman before dropping her off and he doesn't have specifics about her level of intoxication. When deputies responded to the dispute and took her to the motel, it was captured by patrol car video and audio, he said.
Jackson said he doesn't have specifics about the department's policies for handling people who are intoxicated. But deputies do give rides to intoxicated people, he said.
"It's not uncommon for someone who is intoxicated to be transported by one of our officers."
Lee Higgins covers crime and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at (734) 623-2527 and email at leehiggins@annarbor.com.
Comments
jennifer
Fri, Jan 27, 2012 : 6:43 p.m.
First of all people you only know what has been told no one really knows the truth but those invovled . Which in real life we will probley never know . But all lot of u are putting a women down that may of had a family or she could of been a mother . i think so of you really need to think before you just accuse the one that is dead . RIP
snapshot
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 12:48 a.m.
I notice significant differences in comments between civilian deaths and the death of safety officials. Why is that? Officials said, "It's possible drugs contributed to her death". Is this appropriate because she's a civilian?
Saw
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 10:16 p.m.
where do you guys get your info? Police take people all the time to motels! my buddy here in saline gave the police money for his girlfriend who was acting crazy amd they took her to a hotel! he did not want to get kicked out of his apt because she wants to act like a fool! she had nowhere to go but a hotel so they took her. what is the big deal about that! what happend to people being held for their own actions? why blame the police? what about the women in question maybe she drank her self to death! maybe drug overdose heart attack choked to death could have been anything but you blame the police! get real!
kalamityjane
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 7:45 p.m.
This is a disgrace. All the people saying the police did the right thing are baffling me. If she was so drunk they needed to pick her up I don't care what she refused nor whether or not she was driving, she should have been taken to the hospital or detained. Anyone heard of "drunk and disorderly"? Sounds to me like Washtenaw County Sherriff was up to no good if you ask me. Shady business here!
genetracy
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 2:12 a.m.
I wish those pesky Ann Arbor people would quit coming to Ypis and causing trouble.
Wilford John Presler IV
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 8:55 p.m.
Nothing to see here folks...now move along...
Dennis
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 8:29 p.m.
Wait until the toxicology report comes out. It's not exactly difficult to find drugs on that stretch of Michigan ave.
cornelius McDougenschniefferburgenstein jr. 3 esq.
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 9:50 p.m.
yes theres a walgreens,cvs,krogers+another one i forgot the name in the middle.
Mike Villwock
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 8:09 p.m.
The version of events as presented here are suspicious to say the least. Does the Ann Arbor News plan on investigating this story or are you simply content to let sleeping dogs die?
Hunybee3
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 10:45 p.m.
Yeh, an arbor has this one..lol
nowayjose
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 9:40 p.m.
Yes MSP, step aside. Annarbor.com's got this.
nowayjose
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 9:32 p.m.
Yes MSP move aside. Annarbor.com's got this one
Lily'sMom
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 7:51 p.m.
Unbelievable comments. Most of you sound like professionals considering all of the comments presuming you know everything about this and are correct in dissecting details and what should/should not have happened. You assume that the police have all the details already and the news is privy to everything. Re-read the article! Washtenaw County sheriffs are investigating this internally, but they also called in the state police to investigate, which sounds like policy, but I don't know. Unless you're a sheriff or police officer and can identify yourself as such, speculating means nothing. Rarely do investigators reveal everything to the public immediately, or even after the fact. That IS policy. Too many wannabe detectives...
djacks24
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 7:56 p.m.
Take into consideration that A2.com wrote the article turning confusion into chaos when it comes to these comments and speculation.
RJA
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 7:13 p.m.
I will not put any blame on our police officers, they often go above and beyond the line of duty. I'm glad there were 2 officers involved, in taking her to the Motel. (dispatchers were aware) At the time I heard this on the scanner, I thought what the hell, are our officers turning into EMT's and Cab drivers? I think the boyfriend should be fully investigated. There are a lot of puzzle parts missing here. In this case, I think HVA should have been called, and Police there to stage. Glad to hear the officers have not been placed on leave. All we can do now is wait for the ME results, and State Police investigation complete. Enough said, Good luck to our officers in this case.
jcwest32
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 11:53 p.m.
If you only knew how often cops are taxi cabs or free rides to hospitals.
RTFM
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 6:29 p.m.
So if you have a verbal dispute you can call the sheriff's office for what is essentially a taxi cab ride? I don't get what crime was committed here to constitute sheriff involvement.
huh7891
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 12:12 a.m.
Yes...and if you act really crappy they may drop you off at the county line on a dirt road....
steve h
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 7:27 p.m.
holy crap! do you people live under rocks or not watch an episode of cops?
djacks24
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 6:35 p.m.
Domestic disputes happen all the time. Probably make up a good percentage of their calls. Look it up. Would it be better she drives herself while intoxicated?
djacks24
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 5:41 p.m.
That's what I love about this site and its stories. More holes in stories they publish than swiss cheese... Example: The title of the story "Ann Arbor woman" I assume this means she lives in Ann Arbor? Why did the police accept money to take her to a hotel, when (assuming she had a home in Ann Arbor) she could have been taken home? Or if it was out of their territory to take her home themselves, advise and observe while her boyfriend calls a cab and sends her home to Ann Arbor. Come on A2.com! I understand if you don't have all the details, but don't make your stories more confusing by printing relevant statements in the title or story and not explain where the information came from.The insanity of it all is this happens with every story you print. Maybe someone who knows how to proofread and edit a story needs to be on staff?
djacks24
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 6:07 p.m.
"Maybe you should do a good deed and volunteer, yes volunteer, to help." Are you saying A2.com are all written by volunteers? I don't get it? But, yeah sure, why not? I'll volunteer. Obviously I took the time to read the story and post this comment. That's about as much time as i need to point out flaws. There, jobs done!
The Black Stallion3
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 5:57 p.m.
Maybe you should do a good deed and volunteer, yes volunteer, to help.
Tru2Blu76
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 5:39 p.m.
Wow, I've always been told there are established procedures for this kind of thing. It seems the proper procedure would have been for the deputies to tell the "boyfriend" that he is responsible for getting his "girlfriend" examined for possible over-intoxication" which can be fatal. That these deputies (two of them??) just took instructions and money from someone they have no connection with is strange, even questionable. Not mentioned is whether the woman was ambulatory: able to walk without assistance. Are we to "assume" she was just a little tipsy? The article gives no indication so it's unwise to jump to that conclusion. The other question is: was it possible for the "boyfriend" or the deputies to know whether or not the woman was in possession of potentially dangerous drugs? These are the kinds of questions that come up in liability suits, it's not just a matter of allowing everyone involved a "pass" on such knowledge. Safety tip (non-sarcastic): When anyone discovers a person unconscious and unresponsive, the first thing to say to 911 is: I need an ambulance and police at (give location). Then describe the condition of the (evident) victim. Keep repeating that - until the dispatcher tells you both services are on their way. Of course - if possible - comply with any dispatcher requests within your capability.
jns131
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 5:28 p.m.
I have never heard of the deputies ever getting a room for a suspect. And Russell Court? O my. Even more nefarious then ever. That place teems with every suspect you can think of. Wow. Can't wait to see how this pans out.
jcwest32
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 11:50 p.m.
When did she turn into a suspect?
CincoDeMayo
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 6:58 p.m.
Your Motel is not the place I would want to be dropped off at if *I* was drunk. Just saying... Just like you wouldn't leave your doors unlocked (leaving yourself vulnerable), I wouldn't want to be left there drunk (vulnerable).
djacks24
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 5:49 p.m.
So you are already assuming blame based upon the location of where the incident originated, when it hasn't even been ruled there was any foul play involved? I lived there for a few years (actually on Russell Blvd) when I was in my early to mid 20s and couldn't afford any place else at the time. I have no criminal record and am not a drain on society. Yeah its not a place I'd leave my doors unlocked, but whats with a blanket statement about anybody who maybe only has enough money to live there? Then on top of this, the Socialist comment police on this site allow your statement to stay posted, while deleting much less offensive comments.
roll tide
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 5:23 p.m.
Why doesn't department spokesman derrick jackson know the department's policies for handling people who are intoxicated and weather or not she was searched before entering the police car? As mentioned what is the policy for deputies taking money from citizens any reason? Did the deputies keep the change or was it returned to the boyfriend ? Maybe that's why they pick this motel. Was the woman given a PBT to know her level of intoxication? How does the department spokesman know possible drugs contributed to her death? Unfortunately a person has died and we the citizens may never know if something could have been done to prevent it. Adam Betz you are probably right the criminal and internal investigations will find nothing wrong and there will be alot of unanswered questions.
roll tide
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 9:52 p.m.
Heisman... It's only a witch hunt because is wasn't your family member who died! If it was your mother, sister or daughter would you say the questions were bumb? I'm crying for is answers because someone lost there life and maybe it could have been prevented.
dading dont delete me bro
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 5:09 p.m.
strange... how many of you get a phone call 15 minutes prior to check out reminding you when check out is?
huh7891
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 12:09 a.m.
Possibly they rent rooms by the hour and didn't want this room tied up....
Cash
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 5:28 p.m.
I would guess it's because the officer paid for only one night and told management that the lady was drunk. Thus, it was probably courtesy, as the woman herself never checked and wouldn't know the check out time. Tragically she checked out before that time. Permanently.
NonTownie
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 5:15 p.m.
Strange, but as Black Stallion 3 pointed out, they are known for their fine quality rooms and concierge service. I've never personally stayed in a motel of this caliber, so maybe that's the norm.
trespass
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 4:49 p.m.
Why was the woman not able to register herself? If she was too intoxicated to go the the registration desk and sign in herself then she should not have been left alone. Transporting is one thing but registering for her is another. Now we have to trust that our new Medical Examiner will give an unbiased cause and manner of death. Good luck, when law enforcement is involved.
jcwest32
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 11:46 p.m.
One of the main reasons she might of not registered herself in was because she did not have any ID. No ID, no room. There for the cops sign her in and she now has a place to stay.
N. Todd
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 4:36 p.m.
With the information available in this story, at this point, I'm actually inclined to congratulate the deputies from WCSD on how they handled the situation. Krc's comment supports the possibility that the woman was functioning well enough that the deputies did not feel the ER was a necessity and diffusing the altercation by removing one of the subjects was their best option. The article states that that the deputies told Patel "You need to know, she's drunk." How other commenter's understand this to mean that she was "highly intoxicated" or "severely drunk" is beyond me. The fact that the officers handled the money is of little to no importance to me. It's possible that the woman was simply too upset, and not too drunk, to make the transaction. We don't have that information, we shouldn't assume it. It's okay to not know all the details all the time; it doesn't mean we replace truths with conjecture. We don't know what happened after the deputies left the room. Yes, the circumstances are interesting but let's not vilify the WCSD until we know the facts. And RIP to the unnamed woman as well.
jcj
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 4:30 p.m.
Lets not lose sight of the fact that a women lost her life. That is the real story.
treetowncartel
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 5:21 p.m.
I agree, I'm sure someone somewhere is grieving and those on here are running amok with conjecture and speculation.
tinkerbell
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 3:59 p.m.
Lee, the first sentence of this article would rate you a D minus in English 101. Have you heard of run on sentences?
racerx
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 3:55 p.m.
If the woman was causing a dispute, possibly due to being, as the officers put it, drunk, why wasn't she arrested and taken to jail to be watched and sober up? Isn't that what the "holding" tank is for? The sheriff's department has had a few other questionable incidents over the past several years. Is there a leadership issue within the department? Though department spokesman Jackson indicates that he doesn't have specific about handling people who are intoxicated but follows that it's not uncommon to drive people home. Huh?
steve h
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 7:19 p.m.
did you not read the article racerx? it stated she had a verbal argument with her boyfriend, not against the law yet. obviously he wanted her gone so it wouldn't escalate. she was also drunk in a private residence, not against the law yet. thousands, if not millions, drink to excess every night without the need of an er visit. i believe the deputies exercised good judgement and removed a person from potentially escalating a simple argument. trust me, the deputies would have taken the person to the er had they thought her life was in jeopardy.
racerx
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 7:07 p.m.
@jcj-the article states that the deputies were responding to a dispute related to the boyfriend. @cinnabar-I suggest either arrest if she was causing a dispute, or placed in a holding tank for being drunk. And yes, if I were drunk I would much rather be taken to a holding cell to sober up instead of being arrested. @-N.Todd-depends on how bad the situation was. Though apparently the deputies didn't feel she needed to be arrested, however, if drunk, maybe a holding cell would had been better.
cinnabar7071
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 5:14 p.m.
racer you seem to be causing a dispute here, dont worry I've sent the police. Do you want them to take you to the ER, or a hloding cell?
N. Todd
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 4:42 p.m.
There are plenty of situations where one could be drunk, and causing a dispute, and NOT be in violation of a law. Arresting someone in such a case would hardly be an acceptable option.
jcj
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 4:29 p.m.
Where did it say SHE was causing a dispute? Maybe it was the boyfriends house!
Regularjoey
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 3:45 p.m.
The Wash. Co. Sheriffs Dept. And their leadership as well as deputies are probably the closest thing we have to "reasonable" law enforcement in our state. Let us not pass judgement on these deputies until all the facts are in. Seems on the surface like the deputies were employing a human touch to defuse a situation before it got worse, while at the same time being merciful. Let's hope this civil approach doesn't come back to hurt them or the department.
krc
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 3:07 p.m.
When I was in EMS and we were called for an intoxicated person, we would transport them to the ER only if they were too intoxicated to walk or completely passed out. This woman was arguing with her boyfriend and apparently was neither, or the police would have called us. On the other hand, they could have used extremely bad judgment. Time will tell.
steve h
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 2:23 p.m.
I see no problem here. Next
WalkingJoe
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 1:37 p.m.
While this all seems strange and I am with others and agree to wait until the full report comes out. In my opinion I think the deputies were trying to solve an issue without being tied up all night at the ER so that they could be out on patrol.
jcj
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 4:25 p.m.
Could not agree more with the two of you!
justcurious
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 2:42 p.m.
I agree. They may have thought that leaving her in the situation might have caused things to escalate further. Being drunk does not always necessitate an ED visit and certainly doesn't mean someone needs to be thrown in jail. Our officers have to figure out the best resolve every time they go on a detail. Sometimes they need to just be helpful and that is something I appreciate. We don't need to tie their hands to the point of making them totally ineffective.
Adam Betz
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 1:35 p.m.
1. The officers did not take the lady to the hospital...I've never heard of them being this helpful to anyone before. That just does not happen in this day and age. Why would the officer's not detain her (they can legally do so without charging anyone for a crime for up to 48 hours) and bring her to the drunk tank at the Ypsi PD or Washtenaw County jail? That would be the normal, professional thing to do. 2. The officer told the hotel manager, "you need to know she is drunk." Seems like he was trying to lead the manager to believe certain facts...who knows if they were true. 3. The officers took money from a civilian...this is the wrong thing to do and again, is not a normal exchange between a police officer and a citizen. Police officers are taught not to take money from anyone. 4. Seems like a rather shady hotel to just drop someone off at. Why not drop her off at a safer location? I'm curious to know if these officers knew her or the husband. Were either of them family members? Were either the victim or the boyfriend current or former police officers? However, I'm willing to bet that the investigations will turn up nothing...internal investigations never seem to find a crime was committed, even if it's blatant that one was. If anything, these officers exercised some extremely poor judjement to say the least.
Saw
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 9:40 p.m.
where did you get your info? police take people all the time to motels! my buddy here in saline gave the police money for his girlfriend who was acting crazy! he did not want to get kicked out of his apt because she wants to act like a fool! she had nowhere to go but a motel so thay took her. whatis the big deal about that! what happend to people not being held for their own actions? why blame the police? what about the women in question maybe she drank her self to death! maybe drug overdose heart attack choked to death could have been anything but you blame the police! get real!
jcwest32
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 11:41 p.m.
1. As much as it would pain you to believe, most cops are very helpful to this day. If you can take someone to a hotel room before jail most of cops will. It seems to me, you would think that cops get bonuses too for taking people to jail. Even if you take someone to jail for the 48 hour hold, at the end of that 48 hours, a charge is usually nice. I have never heard of just taking someone there to hold. 2. It could be called a common courtsey to advise the hotel manager of the situation, instead of just dumping a person off and running. They probally told the staff in order to get further help down the road on cases that come out of there all the time. 3. Not sure if taking money from a citzen is the right wording to use. Cops all the time with different types of situations like this exchange money for people. Stores that want bills paid, but do not want to talk to the peson. So the cop takes the money and turns it over to the employees. 4. Is there one hotel in Ypsi that is not shady? Oh thats right, cops have all the time in the world to drive everyone into Ann Arbor for a better hotel. Maybe if everyone that used the hotels in Ypsi, would not trash them, then there would be some better hotels in the area. I'm guessing that they were dispatched to the Russell address. If they were family members of friends I'm guessing they would of asked for the same treatment. Get me out of here and find me a place to stay. Most reasons investigations don't turn things up, is because there is nothing to turn up. Its not like the old days of corruption and covering things up. I'm pretty sure with everything being on camera or cellphone, there was more than what the lady put out there. The poor judgement was probally not dropping the female off at your house to take care of and pay all the bills.
N. Todd
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 9:20 p.m.
@Adam Betz - I agree that contacting someone to pick her up would be a viable first option. Do we know that that wasn't tried? Can you supply data that states most people get taken to jail/drunk tank when they are drunk and have a dispute? I find that highly unlikely. I personally have never been taken to a drunk tank while drunk and in a dispute. Nor have any of my friends, short of drunk driving, fighting, disturbing the peace, etc. It also seems like you have a personal fear of the area, or people in the area, in which the motel is located. I don't know why you are projecting that as if everyone else should live in fear as well.
Adam Betz
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 6:50 p.m.
I mistyped...boyfriend rather. Swcornell...the correct thing to do would have been to have her contact someone to pick her up or take her to the drunk tank...like they do with most people that are in this situation. It was a risky, bad and suspect decision to take her to a hotel room...especially THAT hotel.
swcornell
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 2:50 p.m.
Why would the investigation turn up anything. The officers just diffused a hot situation before a crime had been committed. Being drunk in your home isn't a crime. And taking her to a hospital? Why was she sick? ED nurses have better things to do than baby sit a drunk! How about dropping her off a rehab center?
justcurious
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 2:37 p.m.
Where is a husband mentioned? Seems some people on here are watching too many crime shows.
glimmertwin
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 1:18 p.m.
Curious how this plays out. In the "old days" if the police were called and the situation could be handled by giving someone a ride home, or helping them out rather than arresting them, this stuff was done all the time. The police were allowed to use their judgement. Now we have arm-chair lawyers and citizens to immediately blame police. If there is more to the story fine... but if there isn't, I hope these police don't get in trouble for nothing.
WalkingJoe
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 3:28 p.m.
Shazam as Gomer would say. That brings back memories.
thecompound
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 2:26 p.m.
I think in the "old days", Andy just let Otis sleep it off in the jail cell ;)
cinnabar7071
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 1:14 p.m.
So now the police have to take every drunk they encounter to the hostpital? Who's going to pay for this? What if they don't want to go to the hospital? would they be force to go against their will? Maybe they should protect themselves and anybody that even smells of booze gets a 24 hour observation lock down. Yeah thats it we need a nanny state with craddle to grave 24/7 governmental parental control. I think I would perfer to look out for myself, but this is a democracy we live in.
huh7891
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 12:03 a.m.
If Sherlock says it happened then it happened.....
jcwest32
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 11:22 p.m.
So if she is really drunk and taken to the jail, where do you thing the cops take that person. To the hospital to sober up. If they are under arrest and go to the hospital, who do you think pays for it. The citizens.
Hunybee3
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 10:41 p.m.
We can't afford to take everyone to jail for drinking!
Mr. Ed
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 10:41 p.m.
Take her to jail for what, being drunk. Since when is it illegal to be drunk.
zanzerbar
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 8:58 p.m.
Agree with Adam, It would have been better to take her to jail where she could have been observed. Since they knew was was drunk. She could have at least have gotten medical attention there.
Adam Betz
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 6:27 p.m.
No...Police should not have to take everyone to the hospital. However, they should detain them if they feel the person is a threat to the public or too intoxicated for their own good. It's clear that the police knew this lady was in fact intoxicated from what they told the hotel manager.
roll tide
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 12:34 p.m.
So this woman is so intoxicated that she is unable to pay for her own motel room. The woman is taken to the room without being seem by the motel manager. Woman is found dead the next morning. Deputies last people to seen woman alive. Something not right with this!
genetracy
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 1:02 a.m.
Cue the theme to "The Twilight Zone."
Hunybee3
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 10:37 p.m.
It clearly states they were given money.
Angry Moderate
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 8:41 p.m.
Obviously, she may not have been able to afford it. Intoxication is not the only reason a person might be unable to pay for a $30 or $40 hotel.
roll tide
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 5:53 p.m.
@ jcj if the woman wasn't that intoxicated why did the deputy pay for the room and tell the manager "You need to know, she's drunk."
jcj
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 4:23 p.m.
"So this woman is so intoxicated that she is unable to pay for her own motel room. Conjecture on your part! This has not been established.
Cash
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 12:33 p.m.
I am assuming that a deputy is not supposed to take any money from a citizen for any reason. That's clearly a mistake. That poor deputy is leaving himself/herself open to a lot of problems, even with the best of intentions. Ugh. Like it or not, protect and serve means everyone, including someone who is "drunk", according to the deputy. As I do not think we should expect a deputy to make a medical determination of her condition, ER seems a better choice.
jcwest32
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 11:19 p.m.
So every person who has had alcohol that a cop comes into contact with needs to go to the hospital. So now the hospitals are going to be overloaded with drunk people who usually only need a place to sleep it off. Then on top of it, the tax payers are going to have to pay for all the hospital bills. Even if you call EMS out to check out every drunk, then the people who do have emergencies will have to wait that much longer and pay that much more. There is probally alot more to just drinking here.
Wes
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 12:22 p.m.
Is it just me or is there something very strange about this. Ive never heard of a Deputy getting a hotel room for a woman who was drunk. Something is odd about this story or A2.com is leaving out a few details.
Angry Moderate
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 8:40 p.m.
If the officer took the woman to the hospital, you would be on AnnArbor.com whining that the police dumped a domestic violence victim on St. Joe's instead of finding her a safe place to stay.
The Black Stallion3
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 12:14 p.m.
This motel is noted for it's fine quality rooms and concierge service.
cornelius McDougenschniefferburgenstein jr. 3 esq.
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 8:57 p.m.
i think the stallion may have made that comment SARCASTICLY.
HeimerBoodle
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 6:05 p.m.
Book ahead for one of the famous rooms with a view! The poolside bar can get a little rowdy ever since the glitterati discovered it.
jns131
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 5:24 p.m.
It is? I wouldn't rent a room if you paid me to do it. A lot of nefarious people seem to hang out at this place.
Matilda
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 12:10 p.m.
How often to the police get a room for someone highly intoxicated at a local motel then leave them alone without any kind of follow up? Seems highly unusual. I'm anxious to hear a more complete report about this.
zanzerbar
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 11:45 a.m.
I thought the procedure was to take people to the Hospital if they were severely drunk,, for medical attention.
Hunybee3
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 10:35 p.m.
No. She had a right to refusal. They did accordingly, put her somewhere safe.
jcj
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 4:21 p.m.
where did it say she was "severely drunk"?
tinkerbell
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 4:02 p.m.
She wasn't driving so no breathalyzer was administered