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No Bond For Man Charged In TV Argument Murder

PONTIAC (WWJ) - A 45-year-old man will be held without bond, charged in the choking death of his uncle during a fight over the TV.

Rico Gartis Walker was arraigned Wednesday before Judge Preston Thomas of the 50th District Court in Pontiac on a second-degree murder charge.

He's accused of strangling 57-year-old Pontiac resident Robert Brantley, early Monday morning, as they argued about the use of a television in the victim's home in the Phoenix Place Apartments on Woodward Ave.

According to the Oakland County sheriff's office, Walker choked his uncle until he lost consciousness, then called 911. When deputies arrived, they found Walker performing CPR on Brantley.

Sheriff's officials say Walker has a prior criminal recording, including a 1997 impaired driving conviction out of Seattle, Washington and a resisting and obstructing police conviction in 1991 out of Tempe, Arizona.

Walker is housed in the Oakland County jail while he will remain pending his next court appearance. He faces up to life in prison if convicted.

Autopsy results from the Oakland County Medical Examiner's Office are pending.

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