Michigan sheriff blasts judge's bond decisions before deputy's shooting death

George Hunter, The Detroit News on Dec 6, 2024

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PONTIAC, Mich. — Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard and the widow of a sheriff's deputy who was killed in a June 22 ambush spoke out Friday about a judge's decision to lower bond for two of the men prior to their alleged involvement in the deputy's shooting death.

During a press conference at Oakland County Sheriff's headquarters in Pontiac, Bouchard lambasted the decision by 52-4 District Court Judge Kirsten Hartig to lower bond for two men before their alleged involvement in the killing of Oakland County Sheriff's Deputy Bradley Reckling.

"Am I angry? Yes? Frustrated? Beyond belief," Bouchard said.

52-4 District Court Administrator Jennifer Phillips told The Detroit News the judge can't comment on pending cases.

Reckling, a 30-year-old married father of three children, was undercover on Detroit's east side investigating a stolen 2022 Chevrolet Equinox when 18-year-old Clinton Township resident Raymone Debose allegedly fired a handgun from the stolen SUV, fatally wounding the nine-year veteran.

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said Marquis Goins of Detroit and Karim Moore of Clinton Township, both 18, were in the SUV at the time of the shooting. Worthy charged Debose with murder; receiving and concealing a motor vehicle; conducting a criminal enterprise; and carjacking. If convicted, he could face life in prison.

Goins' charges included accessory after the fact to a felony; receiving and concealing a motor vehicle; and carjacking. Goins could face up to life in prison if convicted on the carjacking charge. Charges against Moore include accessory after the fact, receiving and concealing; and conducting a criminal enterprise. He also could face up to life in prison because the criminal enterprise charge is related to a killing.

Two of the three men, Debose and Goins, were in possession of illegal guns when they were arrested three months before Reckling was killed, following a traffic stop in Troy that resulted in a police chase through multiple jurisdictions.

Goins was given a $111,000 bond after Troy detectives argued during his March 28 arraignment on charges of carrying a concealed weapon and fleeing from police that the defendant also was being investigated for a carjacking. But Judge Hartig later ordered a reduction to a $20,000 personal recognizance bond, and Goins was placed on a tether. The judge ordered the tether to be removed April 30 after an Oakland County Pretrial Services report said the man had complied with the court's instructions.

Debose was charged with carrying a concealed weapon in the case and was released from jail after posting a $10,000 surety bond.

"The judge refused to bind that case over ... and put the case in limbo, and left (Debose) out on the street," Bouchard said Friday. "Decisions have consequences. ... Three months later, Deputy Reckling was dead."

Reckling's pregnant widow, Jacqueline Reckling, added: "I think it’s really important to bring awareness to the fact that these decisions these judges are making, they impact life and death. Had the judge's decision been different; had the bond not been reduced, maybe Brad would still be here. Maybe I'd still have my husband, and my kids would still have their dad."

Days after Reckling's death, Bouchard declined to comment to The Detroit News about the shooting death, but he added he would have "much to say" after charges were filed.

On Friday, Bouchard said he waited to speak out about the case because he didn't want to taint the proceedings.

"I wanted to speak out then," the sheriff said Friday, "but I wanted to keep the focus on the investigation and the charges for the murderer, and I didn't want anything to distract from that."

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