Thursday, December 29, 2011
Several stories defined West Bloomfield Patch in 2011. Today, we'll look back on the shocking death of a local teenager.
Patch came in to West Bloomfield in February of what will be remembered by many as a long, interesting year in the township. Between several interesting, significant, and relevant issues which turned into debate which turned into stories, videos, and photos, Patch was in a fairly unique position of providing the forum for these stories – and residents views on them – to be heard. Today, we'll begin to look back on 2011 by remembering a key issue: Johnathan Rickman ran out from his friend's parents' home in West Bloomfield into the hot summer on Saturday evening, June 4, where he was stabbed once, in the middle of the street. Depending on witness testimony during the ensuing trial, he was either crying in fear or laughing to tease the then-…
Friday, December 9, 2011
Leonard White, 16, faces an open charge of murder in the stabbing death of 17-year-old Johnathan Rickman in June.
PONTIAC — An Oakland County Circuit Court jury went into deliberations Friday morning to decide the fate of Walled Lake teenager Leonard White, who faces an open charge of murder in the stabbing death of a West Bloomfield teen in June. White, who was 15 at the time of the June 4 stabbing incident which took the life of Johnathan Rickman, 17, of West Bloomfield, testified Thursday that he was acting in self-defense after two years of bullying and being beaten up that day. Closing arguments were made Friday before jurors left to decide on an open charge of murder and assault with a dangerous weapon. The jury remained in deliberations for six hours Friday and was asked to return Monday morning. "Being really, really mad for being beaten up — …
42.65302
-83.3279
1200 N Telegraph Rd, Pontiac, MI
Oakland County Circuit Court
/articles/jury-deliberates-fate-of-16-year-old
/locations/5983625
Monday, December 5, 2011
The victim's father recounted the last day of son's life while friends described the altercation that led to the West Bloomfield teen's death. Respondent Leonard White, 16, is expected to be called to testify this week.
PONTIAC — The jury trial for Leonard White, the Walled Lake 16-year-old accused in the stabbing death of 17-year-old Johnathan Rickman of West Bloomfield on June 4, began Monday with jury selection and witness testimony. The victim’s father, Roderick Rickman, well-known in the community as a businessman, broke down in tears while on the stand in front of Judge Wendy Potts at Oakland County Circuit Court. Rickman testified that on June 4, he and his son had made plans to attend a ceremony at the Renaissance Center in Detroit to deliver high school scholarships through a charitable organization in which Rickman was involved. They were to meet at the boy's grandmother's house in Detroit to drive to the event together. However, Roderick …
42.65302
-83.3279
1200 N Telegraph Rd, Pontiac, MI
Oakland County Circuit Court
/articles/jury-trial-begins-for-teenager-accused-in-stabbing-death
/locations/5952967
The defendant, accused of stabbing a West Bloomfield teenager last summer, remains at Children's Village in Pontiac.
PONTIAC — The trial for a then-15-year-old Walled Lake resident charged with murder in the June 4 stabbing death of a West Bloomfield teenager is scheduled to begin Monday. Johnathan Rickman, 17, was slain after a quarrel at a friend's house in West Bloomfield. The defendant, whom Patch has not named because of his age, remains at Children's Village in Pontiac. He has turned 16 since the stabbing. "We're looking forward to presenting our case to the jury," Southfield-based defense attorney Rowland Short said via text message. "Obviously, these families have experienced tremendous hardship as a result of these unforeseeable events." Witness testimony was last heard during the summer when a 15-year-old Walled Central High School student …
42.65302
-83.3279
1200 N Telegraph Rd, Pontiac, MI
Oakland County Circuit Court
/articles/brief-trial-for-teen-accused-of-murder-begins
/locations/5943374
Thursday, October 20, 2011
The defendant, accused of stabbing a West Bloomfield teenager last summer, remains at Children's Village in Pontiac.
PONTIAC — The trial for a 15-year-old Walled Lake resident charged with murder in the June 4 stabbing death of a West Bloomfield teenager has been moved to Dec. 5. Johnathan Rickman, 17, was slain after a quarrel at a friend's house in West Bloomfield. Defense attorney Rowland Short explained that the trial, scheduled to begin Wednesday in front of Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Wendy Potts, was adjourned in order to complete discovery of all available evidence. The defendant, whom Patch has not named because of his age, remains at Children's Village in Pontiac. "(Dec. 5) is a firm trial date, and I don't expect it to change," Short said via text message Thursday. "We're looking forward to presenting our case to the jury. Obviously, …
42.65302
-83.3279
1200 N Telegraph Rd, Pontiac, MI
Oakland County Circuit Court
/articles/brief-trial-for-teen-accused-of-murder-delayed
/locations/5639982
