A
SSOCIATED
N
EWSPAPERS OF
M
ICHIGAN
P
AGE
5
October 27, 2016
P
LYMOUTH
- W
AYNE
Murder defendant sent to mental hospital
The man charged with mur-
dering his step-grandfather with
an ax has been committed to a
mental institutionby the courts.
Jess Wayne Gunderson, 27,
entered a plea of not guilty by
reason of insanity to charges of
first-degree murder in the death
Sept. 26 of Danny Dart, 58. Mr.
Dart was bludgeoned and slashed
with an ax in the back yard of his
Chamberlain Street home in
Wayne. Mr. Dart suffered five
slashes from an ax and sustained
three head wounds, a wound to
his neck and another to his shoul-
der.
Following Gunderson's arrest
at the scene, he was remanded to
the Michigan Center for Forensic
Psychiatry where doctors deter-
mined that hewasmentally ill.
The Wayne County office of
the prosecutor agreed with the
determination of the medical
professionals and the agreed to
the sentence of an indefinite con-
finement at the mental health
care facility in the custody of the
Michigan Department of Mental
Health.
According to a statement from
Maria Miller of the prosecutor's
office, medical experts agreed
that Gunderson lacked the sub-
stantial capacity to conform his
conduct to the requirements of
the law and under the law this
supports a claimof legal insanity.
Gunderson is the grandson of
Mary Dart and the step-grandson
of the deceased. During court tes-
timony, Mary Dart said that
Gunderson arrived unannounced
at the Wayne home of the couple
about three weeks prior to the
incident. She said that her hus-
band of 25 years had spent time
withGunderson and attempted to
involve himin activities.
on a large projection screen during the
meeting. The Miracle League is non-com-
petitive, and all players getting to bat and
circle the bases each inning.
The field is not restricted to Plymouth
residents, but disabled children from
throughout the area can experience base-
ball at the fields. Each has a 'buddie' who
helps ensure the players make it safety
from base to base, all of whom are volun-
teers.
The Plymouth Rotary Club was a part-
ner in the development of the playing
field which features a rubberized ground
cover suitable for children with special
needs. The initial construction of the field
was estimated at $1.1 million, all of which
came from private and community group
donations to the effort.
A partner in the improvements at the
field is Kelly's Kidz, another non-profit
group dedicated to the improvement of
life andhelp for disabled children.
“Kelly's Kidz is proud to be a partner
and assist athletes with this shading and
pavilionproject,” saidKellyHermann, the
co-founder of Kelly'sKidz.
“The Miracle League of Plymouth pro-
vides such an amazing outlet for special
needs kids and we are happy to continue
our support of their efforts,” she added.
Plymouth Community United Way
looking for volunteers to clean yards and
do light chores in Plymouth, and
Plymouth and Canton townships on
Saturday, Nov. 12. Volunteers will meet on
the day of the event at Plymouth First
United Methodist Church for a continen-
tal breakfast and instructions.
Check in time is 8 a.m. Volunteers are
asked to bring rakes, garden tools and
gloves, and have their own transportation
to travel between homes. Yard waste bags
will be supplied and distributed at the
church. Leaf blowers are a great helpwith
larger yards, a spokesman said.
All ages are welcome, but those under
18 need to be accompanied by an adult. To
volunteer, call Randi Williams at (734) 453-
6879,
ext.
7
or
e-mail
by Friday, Nov.
4.
Low-income seniors, 65 and older, who
feel they may qualify for service should
also contact Randi at (734) 453-6879, ext. 7.
Income and age verification will be
required.
For more information and an applica-
tion, visit
Volunteer help is needed
Miracle
FROM PAGE 1
Good neighbor
Plymouth Township resident Richard
Sharland, at right, was recently honored by
the City of Detroit with a formal resolution of
appreciation. Sharland notified the city that
land in the township was the subject of erro-
neous foreclosure and subsequent tax sale.
His efforts led to protracted legal wrangling
and the eventual return of the land to Detroit,
once on the tax rolls in Plymouth Township at
more than $15 million. Sharland's efforts were
aided by Wayne County Legislative Assistant
Beverly Kindle-Walker, who was also honored
and appreciated by Detroit City attorney
Timothy Beckett, at left. Honored with
Sharland and Kindle-Walker by the city was
township resident and Eagle staff writer Don
Howard for his reporting and help in the situa-
tion.
