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PAGE 6 ASSOCIATED NEWSPAPERS OF MICHIGAN June15, 2023

CANTON - WAYNE
CANTON - WAYNE

Judge finds sufficient evidence for murder charges

Judge Michael Gerou of the Locke to work on one of his vehi- blood on them as did a roll of open the truck of the vehicle
35th District Court in Plymouth cles and the two shared an inter- duct tape. Other evidence sub- where McLean's body was locat-
has ruled there is sufficient evi- est in cars. mitted included photos of the ed.
dence to charge Jeffrey Dwight McLean told the court that the bloody scene and the autopsy “This matter started off as a
Locke with first degree premedi- friendship between the two report of the Wayne County coro- missing person investigation that
tated murder. became toxic and that his father ner which found that McLean culminated finding the missing
Locke, 50, is accused of the told him that Locke had assault- suffered at least 13 severe blows person badly beaten, wrapped
brutal beating death of 69-year- ed him on occasion. When his to his head, neck and torso, along up in duct tape in the trunk of his
old Glen McLean of Canton father failed to respond to phone with other areas of his body. own car,” Gerou said following
Township. According to court fil- calls, McLean went to his father's Police attempted to locate several hours of testimony.
ings, McLean allowed Locke, home and discovered a bloody McLean by pinging his phone “There's certainly ample proba-
who is reportedly homeless, to scene in the garage. His father which was located in Dearborn. ble cause...to show that homicide
intermittently stay in his River was missing as was a 2021 Ford Officers found the missing phone in the first degree, premeditated,
Woods Drive North home. Mustang. During the court hear- in the victim's Mustang parked in was committed.
According to the victim's son, ing, a neighbor testified that she Dearborn with Locke at the “I think there's a strong case
Derek McLean who testified dur- heard the men arguing on sever- wheel. Locke gave responding that (Locke) committed a brutal
ing the preliminary hearing last al occasions. officers conflicting statements murder,” Gerou said in his rul-
week, Locke also brought five or Police officers testified to the regarding McLean's where- ing, sending Locke to face a cir-
six cats and a dog to stay at the bloody scene in the victim's abouts. A Canton Township offi- cuit court trial. If convicted he
home. He said his father paid garage noting several items had cer had cause to request Locke to faces life in prison. Jeffrey Dwight Locke
Park cleanup prompts warning about dangers of plastic debris

The volunteer effort to clean strong advocate of the environ-
and renovate city parks in ment posted.
Wayne continued last weekend There are a number of things
with work at Soroptimist Park, that can be done to reduce the
Rotary I Park, and Attwood amount of microplastic pollu-
Park. Members of the tion including, reducing the use
Department of Public Works of single-use plastics like plastic
(DPW) joined volunteers in the bags, straws, and water bottles,
efforts along with students from which are a major source of
Upward Bound. microplastic pollution.
The large number of volun- Recycling plastic whenever
teers allowed DPW employees possible helps to keep it out of
to complete split rail fencing at the environment and con-
Attwood Park while work con- sumers are urged to avoid prod-
tinued at the two other loca- ucts that contain microbeads.
tions. Volunteers included Microbeads are tiny plastic
Wayne Police Sgt. Jeff Perez beads that are often found in
who helped install mulch at facial scrubs and other personal
Soroptimist Park and Fire Chief care products. These beads can
Mike Stradtner who cut the easily be mistaken for food by
debris from the fence line dur- animals and birds.
ing the effort. Former city coun- “By taking these steps, we
cilmembers Jeremiah Webster can help to reduce the amount
and Phil Wagner joined the vol- of microplastic pollution and
unteers led by City Councilman protect the animals and birds Wayne took one step closer to becoming “the cleanest city on Earth” last weekend, according to
and Park and Trails Leader that we share our planet with,” Councilman Alfred Brock who led a large contingent of volunteers in the continuing effort to clean and
Alfred Brock. Wayne City Brock posted. renovate the city parks.
Manager Lisa Nocerini and
Assistant Director of the DPW
Ed Queen also joined the work
crew. Brock noted that while
working in Soroptimist and
Rotary Park 1, the volunteers
found multiple plastic items
among the debris. He explained
the serious negative effects of
plastics on the environment as,
he said, the material does not
degrade.
“Because of the fine work by
volunteers to fit out the local
Rain Garden at Soroptimist
Park this material is trapped
before it can make its way into
the water system and end up in
the Rouge River. The river is
only a few minutes away,” Brock
posted online.
He added that the work last
weekend took the community
“one step closer to making
Wayne the cleanest city on
Earth.”
Small plastics persist in the
environment, he said, and cause
problems for wildlife and
plants.
Small pieces of plastic, also
known as microplastics, can
cause a number of problems for
animals and birds. These prob-
lems can include ingestion by
animals and birds which may
mistake microplastics for food
and eat them. This can lead to
digestive system blockages
which can be fatal.
Another danger is inhalation
of microplastics by animals and
birds. This can lead to respirato-
ry problems, such as pneumo-
nia. The toxicity of microplastics
can leach chemicals into the
environment, which can also be
harmful to animals and birds,
Brock said in his Facebook post.
These chemicals can cause a
variety of health problems,
including cancer, reproductive
problems, and immune system
suppression, he said.
Microplastics can also reduce
the reproductive success of ani-
mals and birds as the substance
can damage eggs and embryos
and can also interfere with the
hormonal balance of animals.
“The problem of microplastic
pollution is a global one.
Microplastics have been found
in oceans, rivers, lakes, and
even in the air. As a result, all
animals and birds are at risk
from this pollution,” Brock, a