Suspect in 5 Mich. deaths charged in 1
LANSING, Mich. --A recent prison parolee suspected of killing six women was charged Wednesday with murdering one of them and was ordered held without bail.
Matthew Emmanuel Macon, a 27-year-old registered sex offender, appeared during a video arraignment in Lansing District Court. He was handcuffed and wore an orange jumpsuit while standing with his attorney, Mike O'Briant.
Macon, who had been in prison off and on since 2001 before being paroled in late June, was charged with open murder in the death of Sandra Eichorn, 64, whose body was found in her home Aug. 27.
Judge Patrick F. Cherry issued a restraining order, prohibiting law enforcers and lawyers from speaking publicly about certain aspects of the case, and suppressed parts of arrest warrants containing details about why Macon was charged.
After the arraignment, Macon's relatives declined to comment and referred questions to O'Briant, who said Macon's relatives wanted the public to know that their "hearts go out to the victims."
Macon's state of mind was good, O'Briant said, adding that that he saw no need to seek a referral for a psychiatric evaluation.
"I do not believe he's incompetent," O'Briant said.
The lawyer said that Macon's family supports him and that "his demeanor is up." O'Briant plans to request a change of venue, citing public statements about the case made by the Lansing mayor and police chief.
Lansing police announced last week the apprehension of a suspected "serial killer," and Mayor Virg Bernero called the suspect -- who had not yet been named -- a "monster."
Macon, of Lansing, also was charged with first-degree home invasion and assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder at another Lansing home Aug. 28.
The unnamed victim was hospitalized with injuries not considered life threatening, and police have credited her dog with saving her and the woman with providing key information.
Macon also could face charges in the deaths this summer of Ruth Hallman, 76; Deborah Cooke, 36; Debra Renfors, 46, and Karen Yates, 41; and of Barbara Jean Tuttle, 45, in 2004. A number of the victims were beaten and found in Lansing houses. Both Tuttle and Renfors were found dead in the same house.
