Charges Upgraded To Manslaughter After Man Dies From Punch At Flamingo Mobile Home Park
FARMINGTON HILLS (WWJ) - Authorities have upgraded charges against a 37-year-old man to include manslaughter following the death of his neighbor a month after he was assaulted at a Farmington Hills mobile home park.
Police say the case stretches back to August 9, when they responded to a fight between residents at the Flamingo Mobile Home Park on Middlebelt Road near 9 Mile Road. When police arrived on the scene just after 1 a.m., they spoke with three people -- including the 52-year-old victim, Matthew Lee Wegyn.
As officers were speaking with the group, police say Dante Manley-Ernest Nederveld suddenly appeared from behind a car and punched Wegyn in the face. The punch caused Wegyn to fall backwards, striking his head on the pavement.
Nederveld was immediately arrested for the assault. Wegyn was treated at the scene before being transported to a local hospital for treatment. The next day, the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office charged Nederveld with aggravated assault and operating while license suspended.
On September 3, police received information that Wegyn had died. The following day, the Oakland County Medical Examiner's Office determined Wegyn's manner of death was homicide.
Police notified the prosecutor's office, which amended Nederveld's original warrant to include an additional count of involuntary manslaughter.
Nederveld was arraigned on the upgraded charges on Tuesday Sept. 15 in 47th District Court. He was ordered held on a $75,000 cash bond, with the condition he wear a GPS tether if released. He's due back in court for a pre-exam conference on Sept. 25.
