4/5/13 - The stateâs highest court has agreed to hear the appeal of a ruling that suppressed the confession of a man charged in a gruesome 2011 murder in Green Oak Township. The Michigan Supreme Court this week agreed to hear the appeal filed by the Livingston County Prosecutorâs Office to a ruling by Circuit Court Judge David Reader that the confession police say 29-year-old George Tanner made to them was inadmissible at trial because he had not been informed an attorney was ready to represent him. In taking up the case, the justices will be deciding whether a prior case, People v. Bender, was properly decided. That case set a precedent that a defendant cannot knowingly waive his right to remain silent if police fail to inform him that an attorney is ready to consult with him. The Supreme Court also invited the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan and the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan to file briefs in the case. Police say Tanner and 28-year-old Brian Stafford murdered 40-year-old Christopher Townsend on October 15th of 2011 and then dismembered and burned the body on a wooded property owned by Tannerâs uncle in Green Oak Township. Tannerâs girlfriend previously testified that he had admitted the murder was in retaliation for Townsend kissing her the day before. Stafford was previously sentenced to life in prison following his guilty plea to 2nd degree murder in the case. While he will be eligible for parole in 15 years, authorities say itâs likely he would serve at least 20 years before being considered for release. (JK)
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