Ypsilanti Township man arrested during West Willow homicide investigation, deputies say
The house on Dorset Avenue where the body of David Harold Bennettt was found Thursday.
Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com
The victim, whom deputies identified as 57-year-old David Harold Bennett, was found dead at 6:30 a.m. at his home in the 700 block of Dorset Avenue.
Bennett died of blunt force trauma after the fight broke out late Wednesday or early Thursday, Washtenaw County sheriff’s department spokesman Derrick Jackson said. Jackson said he did not know whether a weapon was used in the killing in the township’s West Willow neighborhood.
“We’re not sure at this point what the motive was,” he said.
The Washtenaw County Medical Examiner's Office would not release any information on the autopsy. It’s the township’s fourth homicide this year.
Randy Dixon, 52, who lives in the neighborhood and stood outside the home Thursday to find out what happened, said he's fed up with the violence.
“The residents of this neighborhood just want peace,” he said. “We want this nonsense to stop. We’re just making the news too much in this one little neighborhood out here. It’s ridiculous.”
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
fight hunger
Sat, May 14, 2011 : 4:37 p.m.
i used to live in west willow i went to willow run high school when i was living there we all got along no fighting nothing ther was peace all around us we could leave our doors open and go see a freind down the street to was safe but now lord have mercy its terrible i know some people that still live ther and i pray that they are safe but i wont come out ther just because of the things that goes on out ther its a shame that people are killing each other it breaks my heart and i will pray for the family that lost a loved one and the man that killed him i will pray for his family too the police do there jobs and maybe oneday ther will be peace in west willow
anti-thug
Sun, May 15, 2011 : 1:21 a.m.
police are not peace seekers i mean look at the governments and the war in iraq. The people need to work on their own neighborhood to prevent the kids from growing up to become criminals.
BhavanaJagat
Sat, May 14, 2011 : 3:51 p.m.
I would ask our readers to reflect upon the issue of preventing murder which Police describe as homicide. The people living in this neighborhood want "peace" and they want the violence to stop. The word "PEACE" refers to the well-being of man in his home, and in his community. The term "HEALTH" also refers to the well-being of man in his environment and in his community. How is 'peace' related to 'health'? We need to understand that peace cannot prevail in the absence of health. We need to know that murder and violence describe the nature of health problem, the absence of health care which is manifested as a criminal act. Very often, the legal system evaluates the mental health of the criminal to know if the person is mentally competent to face the legal proceedings. Such evaluations of mental health will not help us to prevent the problem of murder and violence. The term health care must include the mental, and social well-being of the man in his environment and in his community. If we had provided this type of comprehensive health care, we can prevent violence and murder. We can live in any neighborhood and still live in peace with what we have.
SW40
Sat, May 14, 2011 : 3:03 p.m.
I'm sure this was an isolated incident and most of the homeowners and residents are decent people who are just fed up with all the violence and criminal activity. Cmon West Willow association lets hear the usual talking points about how your committed to a safe community and its just a select few young people committing the crime. The truth is that the people committing the crimes in West willow are the sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, father, mothers of the residents. So until the people of west willow start holding their family members accountable why should anyone care what is going on in the "Willow". Sometimes people are a product of their environment and I'd rather the violence stay in west willow then spread to the decent areas of our county.
Mr. Ed
Sat, May 14, 2011 : 2:05 p.m.
The grass looks really long. I bet the grass is well over the legal limit. Maybe if the grass police were out they could have prevented this murder.
wcchamp4
Sat, May 14, 2011 : 3:57 a.m.
was this all about stealing the victim's Cartier glasses or his 'kicks' ?!?!?!?!? and he just happened to put up a fight for his stuff and he ended up dead......
Wolf's Bane
Fri, May 13, 2011 : 11 p.m.
The tape was hung upside down and I can't read upside down, so iI will assume it says: "Who cares what happens in West Willow?" Am I right, huh?
Wolf's Bane
Sun, May 15, 2011 : 2:06 p.m.
No, I won't.
Wondering
Sat, May 14, 2011 : 11 a.m.
When crime tape is hung it gets twisted around poles, trees, fences, etc. So sometimes there will be parts that are upside down. Focus on the fact that someone lost their life, not on where the person was found.
eyeonthenews
Fri, May 13, 2011 : 9:04 p.m.
Well, I'm glad they have someone custody and it certainly didn't take the Sheriff's dept. long to catch him. Great job!
RJA
Fri, May 13, 2011 : 9:29 p.m.
I am also happy that they have someone in custody. It is sad that there are those (few) that have to fight and lead to death. My thoughts go out to the Bennett family. WCSD , do a great job for the county. I hope those that appreciate their local POLICE will put blue bulbs in their porch lights facing the streets. ( 5-15 through 5-21 )
dading dont delete me bro
Fri, May 13, 2011 : 7:58 p.m.
are those video cameras assisting already?