74-year-old Sandra Layne in court on July 2, 2012. (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WJBK) -
Sandra Layne is a former schoolteacher, mother of five, grandmother of nine and at 74 years of age, an accused killer. We are learning more about what happened that day she allegedly pulled the trigger ending her grandson's life.
"I had told her to keep her hands up. As she was walking out of the house with her hands up, she had advised me and screamed to me that 'I murdered my grandson,'" said West Bloomfield Officer Derrick Kassab.
He testified in 48th District Court that Layne admitted to police she murdered her teenage grandson, Jonathan Hoffman. It was May 18, 5:27 in the evening, officers were called to Layne's upscale condo on Brookview Lane when a neighbor heard gunshots.
Officers arrived to the sound of more gunfire from inside the home. At the same time, Hoffman was on the phone with 911.
(Watch Ronnie Dahl's video report to hear a portion of that call. We must warn you -- it is very disturbing.)
During Layne's preliminary hearing, officers described a bloody scene inside -- bloody footprints in the master bedroom, blood in the kitchen, the laundry room and the upstairs loft where Hoffman was found.
It was determined ten shots were fired from Layne's gun, a Glock she recently purchased. Half of the bullets hit Hoffman at close range. The 17-year-old was shot three times in the chest, once in the arm and once in the stomach.
Layne's attorney says Hoffman's drug use set off the argument that led to the deadly shooting.
Dr. Reuben Ortiz Reyes testified Hoffman tested positive for K2 in his urine, but not his bloodstream, so he wasn't under the influence of drugs at the time.
"He tested positive for spice. It was a violation with his probation. He was concerned about going to jail and he wanted to do certain things, and that's when the argument erupted," said Jerome Sabbota, Layne's attorney. "She was fearful. She killed a person that she loved, that she tried to save. There are no winners. No matter what we do to her, it doesn't really matter. Watch her. She's in her own hell."
Layne's attorney described Hoffman as a troubled teen, a punk, that got in and out of trouble.
Hoffman's parents live in Arizona and were not in court on Monday. Meanwhile, the case has been bound over to circuit court and Layne remains behind bars.
Sunday, June 9 2013 10:38 PM EDT2013-06-10 02:38:07 GMT
Tucker Cipriano and Mitchell Young both entered pleas of not guilty Tuesday in the brutal attack on Tucker's family. We're learning both of their attorneys want separate trials.
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A brutal baseball bat murder shocked metro Detroit and helped to spark the crackdown on synthetic marijuana. Now the two young men accused in that attack are heading to trial.
A brutal baseball bat murder shocked metro Detroit and helped to spark the crackdown on synthetic marijuana. Now the two young men accused in that attack are heading to trial.
Saturday, February 23 2013 11:33 PM EST2013-02-24 04:33:03 GMT
An AK-47, three other long guns and two handguns are now off the streets of Detroit. The weapons were confiscated by Wayne County Sherrif's deputies during a raid at a suspected drug house.
An AK-47, three other long guns and two handguns are now off the streets of Detroit. The weapons were confiscated by Wayne County Sherrif's deputies during a raid at a suspected drug house.
Saturday, February 23 2013 8:56 PM EST2013-02-24 01:56:59 GMT
Michigan's road to recovery could take a big hit if congress allows $85 million in cuts to the defense department. Tens of thousands of jobs could be at risk in our state, especially in Macomb County.n.
Michigan's road to recovery could take a big hit if congress allows $85 million in cuts to the defense department. Tens of thousands of jobs could be at risk in our state, especially in Macomb County.
Monday, February 18 2013 6:38 PM EST2013-02-18 23:38:52 GMT
A mother is pained beyond words. Her three-year-old daughter was killed in a crash Sunday on Detroit's west side less than a block from her house. The chaotic scene was visible from her front door.
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Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:26 PM EDT2013-06-20 03:26:37 GMT
Mitchell Young's trial got underway on Wednesday. He is accused in the murder of Robert Cipriano and the beatings of Robert's wife, Rose, and son, Sal.
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Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:52 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:52:15 GMT
The Detroit Red Wings and city officials on Wednesday announced a $650 million plan for a new arena development for the NHL team in Detroit's downtown entertainment and sports district.
The Detroit Red Wings and city officials on Wednesday announced a $650 million plan for a new arena development for the NHL team in Detroit's downtown entertainment and sports district.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:39 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:39:53 GMT
The state's school superintendent and treasurer could dissolve a deficit-ridden district and send the students to nearby schools under legislation narrowly approved Wednesday by a divided Michigan Senate.
The state's school superintendent and treasurer could dissolve a deficit-ridden district and send the students to nearby schools under legislation narrowly approved Wednesday by a divided Michigan Senate.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:33 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:33:24 GMT
Gov. Rick Snyder on Wednesday cut short his trade trip to Israel to return home and lobby reluctant fellow Republicans to expand Medicaid to more Michigan adults...
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Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:21 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:21:00 GMT
Dequindre-Emery Playlot had become grossly overgrown. George Bearid said enough is enough and began mowing on Sunday. Now several neighbors have joined the effort to clean up the park.
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Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:03 PM EDT2013-06-20 00:03:28 GMT
"I don't blame the clerk," Mike Duggan said as he ended his mayoral bid. Two courts ruled he cannot be on the ballot because he had not lived in Detroit for a year when he filed.
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74-year-old Sandra Layne in court on July 2, 2012. (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
