Devon Tashawn Matthews did what? Richard Jekel, a former Michigan football player, is killed and a man stands trial for it.
The man accused of killing former Michigan football player Richard Jekel is expected to face open firearm and felony firearm charges, Kent County Circuit Court heard on Friday. August 5, 2022.
The accused, Devon Tashawn Matthews, 26, appeared before District Court Judge Jennifer Faber on Friday for a preliminary review hearing, according to the Grand Rapids Police Department.
During the four-hour preliminary hearing, Faber reportedly determined there was sufficient evidence linking Matthews to the crime and referred the case to the circuit court for further review.
Devon Tashawn Matthews
A Closer Look at the Richard Jekel Homicide Case
According to police investigations, Richard Jekel was found dead and shot just below his left eye on June 6 while lying in the back seat of the vehicle. Officers discovered him in his own car, covered in a plastic tablecloth.
When police were called to make an arrest shortly after, they found Matthews standing outside the home of the person he was following with a gun. Authorities said in court that the bullet found on Jekel’s body was from the same gun Matthews tried to throw.
Richard Jekel died around 10 a.m. and, based on information provided by his artificial pacemaker, medical professionals concluded that his cause of death was a gunshot wound.
Police were watching Matthews on June 6 after a lady who lives in the 1900 block of Jefferson Avenue SE reported aggravated stalking.
The story claims that because Matthews was attached to a “GPS tether”, authorities had no trouble determining his whereabouts.
The location of Richard Jekel’s vehicle, as seen on nearby security cameras at the time his heart stopped, was fairly close to where Matthews was traveling, according to GPS data, which put him closer to Burton Street and Jefferson Avenue.
Mathews reportedly realized the police were chasing him and made the decision to flee the car. Shortly after, authorities located his Ruger .380 pistol hidden under a roll of toilet paper when they apprehended him in the Salvation Army Kroc Center public restroom.
Detectives examined the gun, according to Kent County Assistant District Attorney Monica Janiskee, and linked it to the casing that was found after officers moved Jekel’s body. She remarked:
“We know that they discovered a casing while getting Mr. Jekel out of the car. We know that the spent bullet was also found under Mr. Jekel’s body and that the police were able to find the attacker’s weapon while in pursuit.
Later, at the hearing of the second aggravated stalking complaint, Matthews’ bail was increased to $50,000. He will now make another court appearance the following week.
