Jackson, Mich. (WKHM) — The preliminary exams of three men charged with first-degree murder began on Monday morning in front of Judge Allison Bates.
Phillip Gauze (40), Jemel Milton (36), and Bryan Johnson (21) are accused of being responsible for the fatal shooting of John Lusch (45) of Marshall, MI earlier this year on Easter Sunday. The incident took place at 919 Orchard Street in the City of Jackson. Authorities have said Lusch was confronted at the residence by multiple people before his death.
Witness testimony was given by Jackson Police Department (JPD) Sergeant Michael Kruso, who was on the scene when Lusch’s body was found. He testified that multiple doors were blocked, at least one with a dresser and another with a 2×4 piece of wood. According to Sergeant Kruso, a male who appeared under the influence of narcotics was found in a bathroom. Two females were located in the residence sleeping on a blood-stained pillow, with one of them appearing to have recently suffered injuries to her face.
The Sergeant said that the deceased body of John Lusch was cocooned in multiple layers consisting of trash bags, tarps, and mattress sheets with extension cords wrapped around them. JPD fingerprint testing confirmed the identity of the body.
Testimony was also given by Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy Robert Henderson regarding the arrest of Jemel Milton that took place at The Colonial Inn. According to Deputy Henderson, he and another Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle at the inn for improper plates and lack of insurance. It was also believed by authorities that Milton was inside of the vehicle.
Deputy Henderson testified that Milton was the last of four passengers to exit the vehicle, doing so from the rear passenger seat. Henderson said that Milton told the deputies he would not follow their orders to get on the ground and place his hands behind him before reaching for his waist. Another deputy was said to have then deployed his taser on Milton, leading to a struggle that ultimately led to Milton’s arrest.
During cross-examination, Milton’s defense attorney asked Deputy Henderson whether or not the Sheriff’s Office had an arrest warrant specifically for Milton, to which Henderson replied that there was not an active warrant for Milton from the Sheriff’s Office before the traffic stop. Milton’s attorney also asked why the occupants of the vehicle were asked to leave the car for a simple case of improper plates. Deputy Henderson said that they had been advised that Milton could potentially be dangerous, and the occupants of the vehicle were asked to leave for officer safety.
The driver of the vehicle advised authorities that a firearm was inside, and Deputy Henderson said that a pistol was located with its serial number registered to a homicide victim.
The preliminary exam was cut short due to Bryan Johnson’s defense attorney needing to attend to an urgent personal matter, which Judge Bates allowed him to take leave for. It has been scheduled to continue on Wednesday (August 27) at 9:30 a.m.