9/17/14 - Both the man charged with murder in a Genoa Township traffic confrontation and the man he is accused of shooting to death had prior experiences with road rage. The Detroit Free Press reports that 69-year-old Martin Zale of Marion Township, who is charged with open murder and firearms counts in the September 2nd fatal shooting of Derek Flemming, was involved in a run-in with a motorist in Livonia in November 2008, an incident in which he remained wanted on an assault and battery complaint. According to the report, Zale told officers he and another motorist exited their cars in a McDonaldâs parking lot and began yelling at one another following a traffic dispute near 7 Mile and Farmington Roads. He reportedly believed the motorist was about to hit him, so Zale said he slapped the man in the face. The Free Press also reports that Flemming, the Oceola Township 43-year-old father of two that Zale is charged with killing, was a victim in a previous road rage incident along M-59 in Hartland Township. In that encounter, Flemming told police he was pushed to the ground and hit his head after approaching the car of a motorist who had boxed in his vehicle while making a left turn. Police say the fatal encounter with Zale occurred after Flemming also approached his vehicle to complain about his driving. Police records also show that Flemming is alleged to have threatened to shoot Enbridge Energy employees in 2012 while they were installing a gas pipeline. Zale remains jailed without bond as he awaits his next court appearance on October 7th. (JK)
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