10 years later: Jason Sizemore's family losing hope that his killer will be caught
Becky and Kermit Sizemore of Ypsilanti Township have waited more than 10 years for their son's killer to be brought to justice.
A son stabbed to death at the age of 27, his suspected killer escaping back to his native country and no resolution to the investigation. But that's where Becky and Kermit Sizemore are left since the night of June 16, 2001.
Their son, Jason Sizemore, died following an argument at an Ypsilanti Township bar that night and the man that police say wielded the knife, Mark Chiell Pinnace, escaped capture. Pinnace fled to his native Honduras and, due to a lack of extradition treaties between that government and the United States, police are unable to arrest him for the crime.
More than 10 years later, the Sizemores have lost hope that their son’s alleged killer will ever be brought to justice.
Mark Chiell Pinnace
Courtesy of CrimeStoppers
“Do I think he’ll be arrested? No,” Becky Sizemore said. “It’s been that long and he’s still out there. Who knows, he may be dead, I don’t know, nobody knows.
"They say they know where he is, but do they really?”
“They closed Ypsi down”
The Sizemores described Jason as a good friend to a lot of people and they couldn’t imagine him having an enemy anywhere in the world.
Jason Sizemore’s importance to the people who met him shined through on the day of his funeral back in 2001. The Sizemores fondly recalled so many people showing up to Victorious Life Church in Ypsilanti Township that speakers had to be set up outside for the gathered crowd to hear the service.
Kermit Sizemore said the funeral procession was miles long.
“When the last car was pulling out of (the church’s) parking lot, we were just crossing Michigan Avenue,” he said. “Every street was closed down.”
Jason Sizemore worked at the Visteon Plant in Ypsilanti Township and he became a father himself just 10 months before he died.
His mother said they don’t see their grandson Peyton, who is now 11, as much as they’d like since their son was murdered.
Even though they say they’ve become numb, they can’t help but think of how different life would be if their son were still alive.
“His son will never know what an awesome dad he had,” Becky Sizemore said through tears. “That’s the hardest part, him not knowing his dad like he should have. It’s hard for us."
Becky Sizemore added that the family loves and appreciates Peyton’s mother Lisa Beard, but she wishes that Beard and her son were in the Sizemores’ life more.
Jason Sizemore was the type of person who only would have gotten involved in the argument at the bar that night in order to break it up, according to his mother
“He went over there to break it up and chairs were flying and all this and that and, next thing you know, this guy pulls a big knife out that he had hid and killed my son,” she said.
A fight about a bet
The family’s lack of hope dates back to the night of their son’s death in late spring 2001.
Jason Sizemore went to the Player’s Lounge at the Marriott at Eagle Crest in Ypsilanti Township with some friends to watch the NBA playoffs, according to Becky Sizemore. Some of his friends went to play pool and got in an argument with Mark Chiell Pinnace and his brother about a $20 bet, she said.
According to a posting on the CrimeStoppers website, Pinnace told a staff member at the bar he was having problems with one of Sizemore’s friends and he would “make someone famous” if nothing was done. According to the website, staff members watched the group but everything appeared to be under control.
Later on in the night, Sizemore and another man went over to the pool table to see what was going on after being told his friend was having a problem with one of the men, the website states.
A fight broke out — police say Jason Sizemore stuck Pinnace, knocking him to the ground and his family says he was trying to break the fight up. As Pinnace got up, he took out a knife and stabbed Sizemore several times before running out of the bar and onto the golf course, according to police.
Sizemore took several steps after Pinnace, but collapsed from blood loss, Becky Sizemore said. Some of Sizemore’s friends chased Pinnace, but he turned and threatened them with the knife as well, she said. Eventually, Pinnace escaped into the darkness.
“It (was) totally useless and needless,” Becky Sizemore said.
It’s still difficult for the Sizemores to talk about their son’s death. Kermit Sizemore refuses to discuss the night and tears well in his eyes at the very thought. While Becky Sizemore is able to talk about the incident, it remains a very emotional subject.
Becky Sizemore said she and her husband have grown increasingly numb as time has gone on and, even though it’s something they must live with every day, they do their best to not think about the killing.
Pinnace is believed to be living in Honduras, his native country. Police said the only thing keeping them from bringing Pinnace to justice is the fact that the United States does not have an extradition treaty with Honduras, meaning there’s nothing they can do unless he comes into a neutral country.
The inability of law enforcement to arrest their son’s alleged killer only adds to the family’s increasing numbness.
“It’s just the system. It’s just bogged down and overloaded, what are you going to do,” Kermit Sizemore said.
“Really, what can they do? With our laws, what can we do?”
Investigators hit a wall
The answer, coming from Det. Sgt. Patrick Bell of the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office, is not much.
Bell, who is the lead investigator in the case, said he believes police have enough evidence to arrest Pinnace and get a conviction in the case. There’s a warrant out for Pinnace’s arrest and the sheriff’s department is partnering with the Federal Bureau of Investigation to bring Pinnace to justice.
Pinnace has been on the list of Washtenaw County's Most Wanted longer than anyone else currently on the list.
However, Bell said that as long as Pinnace is in Honduras, there’s nothing authorities can do.
“We’re kind of in a hold position,” Bell said. “We know where our suspect is, but he is in a location where we have no extradition treaty with that nation.”
Bell said the department is in a similar situations as many other police agencies around the country — particularly in California, Texas and other states near the Mexico-U.S. border — where suspects have fled to their home nations.
The lack of progress in the case has all but ended communications between the sheriff’s office and the Sizemores. Becky and Kermit Sizemore said, before this week, it had been five years since someone with the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office had spoken to them about the case.
While Bell attributed that silence to the simple fact that there was nothing new to tell the family in that time period, it bothers the Sizemores.
“I don’t think they care any more,” Becky Sizemore said. “I think it’s been 10 years and they just let it go. I really don’t think they’re doing anything.”
Bell said he’s been hesitant to contact the Sizemores and admitted that it had been a long time since he had been in touch with them.
“We’re kind of hesitant to continue to call them to let them know we haven’t had this much progress or to tell them, ‘Hey this is where we’re at,’” he said. “Nothing has changed since he fled the country that I can really tell them.”
The case is not considered a cold case, despite the fact that more than a decade has passed since the incident. Bell said the case is still active because the leads in the case have never run out and there is still a suspect.
However, unless a change in foreign policy comes, there won’t be any resolution to this crime, Bell said.
“It’s really going to be up to the people in this country to force our government and legislators to take a different role in regards to how these different nations have their treaties drawn up,” Bell said.
“That’s the only way this thing will change.”
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
Becky Sizemore
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 3:32 a.m.
To Tony Martin, Thank you for that sweet comment. I'm happy Jason left a place in your heart, he had a way of doing that, even in death. If you want to get in touch with us, you can go on facebook. Thanks again, Becky Sizemore
Tony Martin
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 4:03 p.m.
I'm an ems worker who was there for your sons call. Not everyone has forgotten your him. I did not know Jason but his death is still on my mind. I truly hope the killer is brought to justice. I will not forget him , he found a place in my heart.
Becky Sizemore
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 4:09 a.m.
PS/ Please keep the positive and helpful comments coming, don't stop now!! Please help us with emails to our congressmen, and legislators! SOMETHING MUST BE DONE TO CHANGE THE EXPEDITION LAWS SO WE CAN GET THIS KILLER (AND OTHERS) BACK HERE TO GET THEIR PUNISHMENT! THEY SHOULD'NT BE WALKING THIS EARTH WHILE THEY'RE KILLING OUR FAMILIES AND RUNNING BACK TO HONDURAS AND GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER!!!
Becky Sizemore
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 3:56 a.m.
We appreciate all the comments that have been made on our son, Jason Samuel Sizemore's behalf. Some of the comments have been very helpful to us, and some of our friends have set up a "JUSTICE FOR JASON SAMUEL SIZEMORE" page on facebook, and it is getting alot of publicity. Hopefully these things will help to bring this murderer MARK CHIELL PINNACE to justice, so our family can have some sort of closeure. One other thing the newspaper article neglected to mention is this: When we were asked, " How have you managed to cope with this ?" I said," Our faith in Jesus Christ has been our strength. If it were'nt for our Lord, we would not have made it." We just wanted that to be public, because we can't see how people can go through this kind of tragedy without the Hope of Jesus' promise to see our loved ones again one day when we get to heaven. It is just unimaginable to us. Thank you again, THE SIZEMORE'S
justcurious
Fri, Jan 20, 2012 : 9:38 p.m.
I know there have been no comments on this story for a couple of days, but just yesterday CNN talked about the Honduran crime rate. It is, unfortunately astronomical, with 90% of murders going unsolved. The drug wars down there are the main problem and the police are often part of it. However, I just found this article today which just may have some bearing on the Sizemore's case. We can only hope. The headline speaks about drug related cases, but the body of the article talks about other offenses as well <a href="http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2012/01/20/honduras-permits-drug-related-extradition-to-us-and-other-countries/" rel='nofollow'>http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2012/01/20/honduras-permits-drug-related-extradition-to-us-and-other-countries/</a>
Kyle Feldscher
Wed, Jan 18, 2012 : 9:51 p.m.
Becky Sizemore spoke to AnnArbor.com Wednesday and wanted to emphasize that she and Kermit have no issue with Lisa Beard and have a great relationship with her. Sizemore said Beard is in no way keeping Peyton from her and Kermit and they believe she is a great mother. She repeated that there are no issues between the Sizemores and Beard.
S Curson
Wed, Jan 18, 2012 : 7:46 p.m.
I personally know Becky and Junior and their daughter-in-law, Lisa Beard, so I can say confidentially that Becky and Junior see their grandson, Peyton Sizemore on a regular basis and have a close, loving relationship. They attend his baseball games, take him to church, have him over night, and he has even gone on vacations with them. Lisa Beard married Scott Beard who has been a caring, loving stepfather to Peyton and both have a loving relationship with all Sizemores. As a grandparent, most of us will say we don't see our grandchildren enough and that is normal-so I believe that the reporter gave the wrong impression of this relationship and did not do it justice.
Craig Lounsbury
Wed, Jan 18, 2012 : 1:12 p.m.
I'm rethinking my "award winning" position. As justcurious pointed out we do have an extradition treaty. But as a2citizen pointed out the treaty states in Article VIII ""Under the stipulations of the Convention, neither of the Contracting Parties shall be bound to deliver up its own citizens." On first glance and under this circumstance it might seem like a bad loophole. But if the shoe were on the other foot, if one of our sons or daughters was wanted in some banana republic for an alleged spring break crime we didn't believe they commited we would take comfort that our Government wouldn't cough up its own citizens at the request of a foreign power.
S Curson
Wed, Jan 18, 2012 : 7:45 p.m.
I personally know Becky and Junior and their daughter-in-law, Lisa Beard, so I can say confidentially that Becky and Junior see their grandson, Peyton Sizemore on a regular basis and have a close, loving relationship. They attend his baseball games, take him to church, have him over night, and he has even gone on vacations with them. Lisa Beard married Scott Beard who has been a caring, loving stepfather to Peyton and both have a loving relationship with all Sizemores. As a grandparent, most of us will say we don't see our grandchildren enough and that is normal-so I believe that the reporter gave the wrong impression of this relationship and did not do it justice.
RoboLogic
Wed, Jan 18, 2012 : 4:33 a.m.
Someone should... find him...gain his confidence...lure him to a neighboring country under certain pretenses that he may go along with...then bring his butt back. Just like Israel got Adolph Eichmann. It can be done.
Tru2Blu76
Wed, Jan 18, 2012 : 1:24 a.m.
More to the point: how did this Honduran get into this country and how did he get out? Also, where were the police after a man was stabbed in a bar?? A lot is said about the need for immigrants: but in the modern era, there's actually need to lower or at least stabilize the U.S. population. The old "truth" in this area simply no longer applies. In addition, the U.S. Justice Department and State Department are actively using the Supreme Court and Congress to prevent local police interdiction of illegal immigrants. Both political parties are complicit in this "welcome" policy to one and all - anyone who can sneak across our borders. It's this unconstitutional interference with law enforcement that is at least partly behind such murders as this one.
Kyle Feldscher
Wed, Jan 18, 2012 : 1:01 a.m.
I've updated this story with Lisa Beard's corrected name.
Michigan Reader
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 11:26 p.m.
Maybe the FBI can trick this alleged criminal into going to a neutral country, many alleged criminals are nitwits. Otherwise, they'll never get him for, I assume, flight to avoid prosecution.
RJA
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 11:12 p.m.
I know this couple, (and the Sizemore family) they have waited so long for answers, and nobody has any. Truly sad what they have been through.
Kyle Feldscher
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 10:33 p.m.
I've been alerted that the Players Lounge was owned by the Marriott at Eagle Crest and not the Eagle Crest Golf Club. I've made that change.
Berda Green
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 6:36 p.m.
i hope he comes back here and he is caught i am so sorry to hear for there loss stay strong i do remember this lord have mercy its so sad
jns131
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 3:47 p.m.
You know what folks? This is an election year. Maybe something will turn up? CIA does some interesting things. Otherwise, capturing a crook is another thing and another family's pain. This guy will be caught. They all do. Patience is a virtue and the waiting can be hard.
justcurious
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 6:40 p.m.
CIA???
Craig Lounsbury
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 4:54 p.m.
unfortunately they don't all get caught.
15crown00
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 3:32 p.m.
It sounds to me like Legal PC is at work here.That in itself in my view is a crime.
abc
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 2:24 p.m.
"Pinnace is believed to be living in Honduras, his native country. Police said the only thing keeping them from bringing Pinnace to justice is the fact that the United States does not have an extradition treaty with Honduras, meaning there's nothing they can do unless he comes into a neutral country." <a href="http://www.internationallawupdate.com/09/after-analysis-of-u-s-honduras-extradition-treaty-and-supporting-evidentiary-documents-supreme-court-of-honduras-rejects-u-s-request-for-extradition-of-ex-haitian-police-chief-based-on-lack-of-evid/" rel='nofollow'>http://www.internationallawupdate.com/09/after-analysis-of-u-s-honduras-extradition-treaty-and-supporting-evidentiary-documents-supreme-court-of-honduras-rejects-u-s-request-for-extradition-of-ex-haitian-police-chief-based-on-lack-of-evid/</a>
justcurious
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 6:44 p.m.
I found that article as well. So, what have US authorities told Washtenaw County is the reason that they are not honoring the extradition treaty which DOES exist.
lumberg48108
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 2:23 p.m.
there seems to be some context missing --- where is his daughter now? was his former wife or girlfriend interviewed? If not, why not? if she did not want to talk (understandable) the reporter should at least mention this to tie up loose ends the story tells us of a young father who lost his life and a child who will never know his father - but leaves us asking what came of that child... this story lacks context and tyhe reader is left with more quetsions
FreedomOfSpeech
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 6:25 p.m.
Linda? I beliece his widowed wife's name is Lisa?
lumberg48108
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 4:33 p.m.
Thanks - it would be nice to read that in the story (and more on the child)
Lefty66
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 3:58 p.m.
His widow still lives in the area. She has re-married.
justcurious
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 2:10 p.m.
Something is wrong here. The Sizemore's and authorities say we don't have an extradition treaty with Honduras. These articles say otherwise. Who is right? <a href="http://internationalextraditionblog.com/2011/05/04/honduras-extradition-treaty-with-the-united-states/" rel='nofollow'>http://internationalextraditionblog.com/2011/05/04/honduras-extradition-treaty-with-the-united-states/</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_extradition_treaties" rel='nofollow'>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_extradition_treaties</a>
Craig Lounsbury
Wed, Jan 18, 2012 : 1:02 p.m.
point of correction it is Article VIII not XIII
a2citizen
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 8:25 p.m.
just,curious, I'd recommend making the a2.com editors aware your concerns. I'm powerless.
justcurious
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 6:39 p.m.
A2citizen, then the article should not say that we do not have an extradition treaty, because we do. I would assume that the US has requested the return of their citizen and was given a reason why that did not happen. Do they have a lawyer to get this information? Article does not say. I know, lawyers cost money.
a2citizen
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 3:29 p.m.
Article XIII "Under the stipulations of the Convention, neither of the Contracting Parties shall be bound to deliver up its own citizens."
EyeHeartA2
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 1:20 p.m.
What kind of a Visa did Pinnacle have? When would his work permit have expired?
N. Todd
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 2:46 p.m.
Not that this answers your question entirely, but it was my understanding that Mr. Pinnace and his brother were residing in Canada at the time of the incident and simply entered Detroit via the bridge/tunnel.
Craig Lounsbury
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 1:11 p.m.
Maybe "we" should tie foreign aid,( which appears to be north of 50 million dollars for Honduras) , in part to a willingness to extradite people for capital crimes.