(Detroit News) Warren — Authorities have charged four teens in connection with the beating death of a man Sunday over a $5 bag of marijuana, officials said.
The suspects have been identified as Kevin David Antone, 18, of Warren; Thomas Henry Post, 17, of Roseville; Jacob Steven Androsuk, 17, and Brandon Lee Ebel, 16, both of Warren, officials said.
All four face second-degree murder charges as well as a count of armed robbery and a count of conspiracy to commit robbery in the death of Michael Daniel McCarthy, 46, according to authorities. Second-degree murder is punishable by life in prison.
Police say the group of young men hit McCarthy over the head with a piece of cement, then stomped on him for several minutes, after he refused to hand over a bag of drugs provided by Ebel.
The argument began after Ebel showed up at his father’s home in the 8600 block of Stephens Street to sell his father a baggie of the drug, Dwyer said. McCarthy, a friend of the father, also took a bag.
The teen left, but then returned, angry, with three friends. The teens argued with McCarthy over the $5 bag before beating him and taking off.
The police chief in a statement said, “The loss of any life is tragic, but more often than not acts of extreme violence are the result of this type of criminal behavior involving drugs.” Really? I’ve purchased more than a few “baggies of the drug” and never once experienced any type of criminal behavior.
However, I was never forced to buy a baggie of weed from my friend’s teenage son, either. Did the police chief ever stop to think that a 46-year-old man wouldn’t be buying marijuana from violent criminal teenagers if he could purchase it in a well-lit, secure marijuana store from another adult who checks ID? When’s the last time you heard tell of four teenagers selling a six pack of beer to their old man and a six pack to his friend, then beating the friend to death over a dispute on the transaction?
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Simply sad.
After reading this several times it sounds like the victim “McCarthy” stole a baggie from the dealer “Ebel”. Since its a black market transaction the only recourse to solve a business dispute was of course violence.
I want to know can you even get a buzz from $5 worth of pot? Ive never seen $5 bag.
Maybe the kid was selling it for his older buddies and didn’t charge enough, went back to get more money, and the guy said, no, five bucks is five bucks, tough on you. It’s a theory I can’t test.
I dont get it, did the guy steal the bag and they came back or they sold it to him then decided they wanted it back? I just dont get it, $5, a crackhead wouldnt waste his time. I just dont get it, to beat him to death, WTF.
I bet they were drinking or doing meth, has to be something.
This is sad…..this is one of benefits of prohibitons and is just saddens me