Watch CBS News

Funeral Set For Victim In Farmington Hills Bat Attack

DETROIT (CBS Detroit) The same day the alleged perpetrators agreed to delay their next court hearing, the Cipriano family released a statement about their loved ones.

Robert Cipriano, 52, was killed Monday in a baseball bat attack in his Farmington Hills home allegedly carried out by his son Tucker Cipriano, 19, and pal Mitchell Young, 20. Mother Rosemary Cipriano and brother Salvatore Cipriano, 17, were critically injured, reportedly suffering head and bodily injuries in the brutal attack.

Cipriano and Young pleaded not guilty to the charges earlier this week, with a stoic Cipriano saying little and an emotional Young wailing and screaming that he "didn't do it."

In the statement released Friday afternoon, the Cipriano family said, "The family is grateful for the abundance of love, support, and prayers from their community. Both Rosemary and Salvatore continue to show improvement, but remain in critical condition.

"With your prayers and the help of the doctors and staff at Botsford Hospital, we are optimistic that they will recover."

Funeral services for Robert Cipriano will be held 2-8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at McCabe Funeral Home. Religious services will be held next door to McCabe Funeral Home at Saint Fabian Catholic Church. Go to www.mccabefuneralhome.com for details.

Donations may be made to the "Cipriano Childrens Trust" in care of McCabe Funeral Home, 31950 West Twelve Mile Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48334.

Cipriano and Young appeared in court Friday alongside their attorneys via satellite from the Oakland County Jail, during a brief preliminary examination conference. The judge set May 23 as the pre-trial conference date.

Both young men have had numerous run-ins with the law and were allegedly looking for drug money when police said they broke into the Cipriano home. A troubled Cipriano had been kicked out of the family home, according to many reports.

Another son and 8-year-old daughter hid in a closet and dialed 911 during the attack, and were uninjured.

Cipriano and Young are charged with one count of first-degree premeditated murder and one count of first-degree felony murder in the death of Robert Cipriano. In addition, each has been charged with two counts of assault with intent to murder for the beatings of Cipriano's mother and brother. They've also been charged with armed robbery.

If convicted as charged, the two friends could spend up to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.