Case dismissed against driver accused of hitting bicyclist with car
Editor's note: Charles Pope's title and a reference to the judge who dismissed the charge have been corrected.
An 18-year-old driver who police said slammed his car into the bicycle a teen was riding had all charges dropped and his case dismissed Wednesday.
Tyrell Hooks
Tyrell Hooks, of Belleville, was charged with assault with intent to murder after an incident on Oct. 13 in Ypsilanti Township’s West Willow neighborhood.
Prosecutors informed District 14B Judge Charles Pope they were unable to continue with the case during a preliminary exam Wednesday, with Hooks’ attorney motioning to dismiss the case. Pope ultimately agreed to dismiss the charge.
Police said Hooks and a 17-year-old Ypsilanti teen were arguing and Hooks followed the teen with his car while he rode away on a bicycle. Police said Hooks drove onto a lawn near the intersection of Seneca Street and Calder Avenue and struck the bicycle before driving away. The incident caused the Ypsilanti teen to be treated for cuts to his torso and his arms, according to police.
It is unknown why prosecutors decided they could not proceed with the case.
Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
Kyle Feldscher
Mon, Nov 28, 2011 : 4:34 p.m.
Let me explain why I ran this man's name and picture with this story: We had run stories previously announcing this man had been charged with a crime along with his mugshot. It would seem unfair to not write another story with his name and photo announcing he was cleared of charges.
Berda Green
Fri, Nov 25, 2011 : 6:38 p.m.
the judge is wrong lord have mercy
aawolve
Fri, Nov 25, 2011 : 1:41 p.m.
Even by annarbor.com's standards, this story is a hypocritical hot mess. This wouldn't make it past the editor at most high school papers. Why do you post this guy's name and photo for not being convicted of anything, but will not post the particulars of a UM grad student who was convicted of stealing from a charity? <a href="http://www.annarbor.com/news/u-m-graduate-student-whose-plan-helped-catch-a-thief-to-be-honored-for-his-effort/?plckFindCommentKey=CommentKey:bce51ea0-ba10-4521-8713-458d1906c84a">http://www.annarbor.com/news/u-m-graduate-student-whose-plan-helped-catch-a-thief-to-be-honored-for-his-effort/?plckFindCommentKey=CommentKey:bce51ea0-ba10-4521-8713-458d1906c84a</a> I really would love an answer, though I know that you're unable to provide a reasonable one.
Paula Gardner
Fri, Nov 25, 2011 : 7:41 p.m.
The original crime was in May 2010. I can't tell you why it wasn't covered (I wasn't news editor at the time) but suspect it didn't catch the crime/court team's attention because of the low dollar value. The warrant request probably also didn't convey the tale behind the charges. The story you keep linking to when you ask about this was written a year after the crime and its focus was the award. While in most circumstances, it would be ideal to have been able to link to the original coverage, we weren't able to here. In addition, U-M did not respond to immediate requests for the grad students' name to insert in this story, and most readers wouldn't see it at this point, either.
Jen Eyer
Fri, Nov 25, 2011 : 7:21 p.m.
@aawolve: News director Paula Gardner will respond to your question. @d_a2: You were not banned from commenting. As I told you via email, your comment was blocked because it was insensitive to a family who had just suffered two tragic losses.
d_a2
Fri, Nov 25, 2011 : 4:26 p.m.
@ aawolve. Awesome point and you're correct, you will never get a response. Perhaps Jen the "audience engagement" staff member for AA.com will do her job and respond to the readers questions instead of banning people from commenting when your hypocrisy is being pointed out.
Tru2Blu76
Thu, Nov 24, 2011 : 7:55 p.m.
Point of order: did Mr. Hooks get a traffic citation? I sure hope so, because if there ever was an 18 year-old driver who "needs" points on his record it's this one! It's okay if the the injured "friend" decided to drop charges. Stuff happens - even between friends. But it's still hoped that Mr. Hooks' insurance company "reacts appropriately" and hands him a bill which will be a good reminder of how NOT to drive a car.
Joe_Citizen
Fri, Nov 25, 2011 : 7:19 a.m.
Well, that depends on the circumstances. like whether there are witnesses and such. But, if they find a gun, then they have something to go on.
jcj
Thu, Nov 24, 2011 : 11:24 p.m.
"Stuff happens - even between friends." If he had shot at him would the friend have an opportunity to drop the charges? I don't think so.
Joe_Citizen
Thu, Nov 24, 2011 : 4:52 p.m.
Good, and I see these two are probably friends and decided to not go ahead with this action. The prosecutors have no evidence, if the victim decide to not be a witness. If this is true then there is very little they can do to get the charges to stick. I am also wondering why the writer of this post, posted a picture of a teen, especially when he is not guilty of a crime. Is it because you believe he is and got away with it, so your going to show your feelings in this matter. Because not every post of criminal behavior have pictures posted, but you chose to post his picture and his name, just because he is 18, doesn't mean he isn't a kid anymore. It's hard enough to find gainful employment, and you still want to be his judge and smite him.
trespass
Thu, Nov 24, 2011 : 4:33 p.m.
AnnArbor.com has repeatedly said that it is their policy to wait until after the preliminary hearing before they will name a suspect. In this case they not only publish the name but also a photo. What is the AA.com policy?
Kyle Feldscher
Mon, Nov 28, 2011 : 4:32 p.m.
Trespass - That is incorrect. We've stated repeatedly it is our policy to wait until a suspect is arraigned on charges to name them.
abc
Thu, Nov 24, 2011 : 4 p.m.
So this has been going on since the middle of October and you can't get the name of the judge right OR a reason for the argument OR a reason for the dismissal. BUT you are comfortable publishing the name and photo of a young man who is NOT charged with a crime today next to a line that says he was charged with assult with the intent to murder. Why even show up for work today?
jcj
Thu, Nov 24, 2011 : 4:14 p.m.
Very good points abc. This is just another in a long line of incomplete stories. If this were turned in by a middle school student it would get a failing grade!
jcj
Thu, Nov 24, 2011 : 3:40 p.m.
"It is unknown why prosecutors decided they could not proceed with the case." I think this is something the SHOULD be known! Someone drives his car up on a lawn and tries to run over a cyclist there should at the least be an explanation as to WHY the charges were dropped. How about pushing for an explanation Kyle! Prosecutors need to answer to someone!
Fat Bill
Thu, Nov 24, 2011 : 3:28 p.m.
One is required to assume that reporter Kyle is referring to Judge Elizabeth Pollard-Hines, but that wouldn't make a whole lot of sense as she serves the 15th District.... Very confusing when the writer references a last name of someone not otherwise named in the piece...
RJA
Thu, Nov 24, 2011 : 3:23 p.m.
Not for me to understand why this case was dismissed, but maybe these guys were friends. Happy Thanksgiving to both young men. They both have something to be thankful for.
monroe c
Thu, Nov 24, 2011 : 2:57 p.m.
I don't understand why the paragraph starts with "Prosecutors informed District 14A-1 Judge Charles Pope," but ends with "Hines ultimately agreed to dismiss the charge." Is it Pope? Or Hines? This one isn't hard to screw up - one is male and the is other female. In addition, Judge Pope is in 14B, not 14A1.
Julie Baker
Thu, Nov 24, 2011 : 4:31 p.m.
Thanks for pointing out our errors. They've been corrected.