Community Corner

West Bloomfield Grandmother's Husband Takes Stand in Grandson's Murder Trial

Prosecutors showed very bloody crime scene photographs during Friday's proceedings.

Sandra Layne's husband testified Friday as the case against the West Bloomfield grandmother, accused in the shooting death of her grandson, continued.

Fred Layne spoke of his grandson, 17-year-old Jonathan Hoffman, as Sandra Layne shed tears, and the prosecutors showed very bloody crime scene photographs, according to WXYZ Channel 7 News.

Fred Layne testified there had never been physical contact between his wife and grandson, but did say the pair argued a lot, according to Click on Detroit. The article stated that Fred Layne was “flabbergasted” when he found out Sandra Layne purchased a gun and said he was walking the dog when the shooting happened.

Find out what's happening in West Bloomfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Sandra Layne, 75, faces charges of open murder and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony stemming from the shooting death of Hoffman last May in the West Bloomfield condominium they shared on Brookview Lane.

She remains in custody at the Oakland County Jail, and, if convicted, faces life in prison. Defense attorney Jerome Sabbota has said the killing was self-defense.

Find out what's happening in West Bloomfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

West Bloomfield Patch reported that Layne surrendered to police at her front door, where officers later found a handgun with blood on it. Layne herself was found with blood on her hands and clothing.

According to testimony, Layne was hysterical, screaming that she had just shot and killed her grandson, even after being placed in a police car.

Sabbota said that on the day of the incident, Layne had been at odds with her grandson, a student at Farmington Central High School who lived away from his parents in Arizona.

Read more:

  • Grandmother of Slain West Bloomfield Teen Stands Mute
  • UPDATE: Grandmother Charged with Murder in Grandson's Shooting


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from West Bloomfield