1/24/13 - A Washtenaw County judge is considering three motions to suppress evidence in the case of a man accused of helping a former Putnam Township resident break-in to a car dealership more than six years ago and fatally beat an employee. 32-year-old Jonathan Aiden is charged with five counts, including open murder, in connection to the August 2006 incident at the Jim Bradley Pontiac GMC dealership in Scio Township. Aidenâs uncle, Shane Roscoe, a one-time candidate for Putnam Township Supervisor, was convicted last year of breaking into the dealership, stealing auto equipment and materials and beating William Kenney, who worked there. Kenney later died from his injuries. In court yesterday, a motion was made to prevent a jury from hearing testimony that Roscoe searched his own name, Aiden's name and the car dealership's name on local media websites immediately following the break-in. A second motion seeks to suppress recordings of phone calls prosecutors say feature Aiden and another Washtenaw County Jail inmate concocting an alibi for Aiden the night of the incident. The third motion is whether Aidenâs previous criminal record, including breaking and entering in Florida, can be used at trial. Judge Archie Brown is expected to rule on the motions this week. Aidenâs trial is set to begin February 4th. (JK)
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