Thursday, December 10, 2009

Mount Clemens, MI: Prosecutors say man planned fatal shooting of ex-girlfriend's new lover

CHRISTINE FERRETTI
The Detroit News

Mount Clemens -- When he showed up at his former girlfriend's condo in May, prosecutors claim Dwayne Wilson had a plan -- and they say he executed it thoroughly.

The 39-year-old Eastpointe man first used a key to slip into Katherine Horton's Warren home May 26. He found her two teenage daughters sleeping in the basement, restrained them with duct tape and ordered them upstairs. Then, armed with two guns, he waited for Horton and her new boyfriend, Kenyetta Williams, to return.

Prosecutors say Wilson confronted the pair, hitting Horton with a gun and firing several shots at Williams, 32, killing him.

Macomb County Assistant Prosecutor Steven Kaplan outlined the claims Wednesday during opening arguments for Wilson's trial in Macomb County Circuit Court.

Wilson is charged with seven felony counts in connection with the crime, including first-degree and felony murder, home invasion, firearm and assault charges. He faces up to life in prison.

"He was unhappy that she (Horton) was with another man," Kaplan told jurors. "His plan was to execute Mr. Williams. ... The evidence will show that he did."

But Wilson's attorney, Azhar Sheikh, presented another theory.

Sheikh said his client, who has a 6-year-old son with Horton, returned home from a business trip to find an unfamiliar car and a man's belongings inside the home. He became concerned for the safety of his young son.

Sheikh said a "ruckus" between the two men turned tragic when Wilson confronted Horton.

"A struggle takes place and Williams was shot," Sheikh said. "It's very sad."

Prosecutors say Horton met Williams on the Internet. He had been living with her for less than a week before the incident occurred.

Wilson was arrested in Detroit in connection with the crime on May 29.

On Wednesday, six witnesses testified including Horton and her daughters and several investigators.

A medical examiner is expected to testify as the prosecution's final witness this morning.

cferretti@detnews.com">cferretti@detnews.com (586) 468-0343

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