Ramon Felix Pineda of Brandon Township remains in Oakland County Jail after being denied bond at his arraignment in connection with the Aug. 26 death of Vincent Owen D’Anna.
Pineda was charged with four counts, including second-degree murder. Prosecutors will seek the maximum sentence: life in prison.
‘He’s here illegally, he took the life of a young man, there are lots of witnesses,? said Kelly Chard, assistant prosecuting attorney.
‘He fled to avoid prosecution.?
When considering bail, the court considers likelihood of the suspect returning to stand trial, as well as protection of society, said the Hon. Kelley Kostin, 52-2 District judge.
‘I’m very concerned with risk of flight,? Kostin said. ‘I don’t find any comfort at all the bond would give Mr. Pineda the conviction to appear in court.?
Defense Attorney Art Greenstone of Clarkston argued for a reasonable bond.
‘No one here doubts the severity and catastrophe of what happened,? Greenstone said.
‘Everyone hates this man ? I understand that,? he said. ‘I ask the court to withstand the understandable public pressure to scalp my client.?
Pineda tried to flee the scene because he doesn’t want to be deported, his attorney said.
‘His alien status – that’s why he ran away,? Greenstone said. ‘It wasn’t that he didn’t care. He wants to stay as long as he can – his 1-year-old child and wife need him at home.?
Pineda, a citizen of Mexico, has lived in the area for the past 12 years, worked steadily for five years in downtown Clarkston, as a cook at Olde Village Cafe, a family, and no history of substance abuse or violence, Greenstone said.
‘He will appear,? he said.
Pineda stood mute when asked to plea, which is considered the same as ‘not guilty? because suspects are considered innocent before being proven guilty in a court of law.
According to Lt. James Ahearn, Oakland County Sheriff’s Department, Pineda was speeding in his white Camaro southbound down the hihl on Sashabaw Road when he struck D’Anna, an off-duty Flint police officer, who was riding a motorcycle.
When trying to drive away, he struck D’Anna again, dragging him under his car. He then tried to run away, but bystanders grabbed him and held him for police.
He provided false identification to officers and told them he drank seven beers that evening, Ahearn said.
Kostin charged Pineda with four counts at his Aug. 28 arraignment:
? Murder 2nd Degree, which means without premeditation, penalty up to life in prison;
? Operating While Intoxicated Causing Death, a 15-year felony;
? Leaving the Scene of an Accident Causing Death, a 5 year felony; and
? Driving While License Suspended, a 93-day misdemeanor. Pineda has never applied for a driver’s licence, police said.
Pineda faces preliminary examination within two weeks of arraignment, at which time he could be bound over for trial.