Man charged with violent acts against Black family
Frederick, a white man, asks for forgiveness
A 24-year- old Warren man formally charged Thursday with nine criminal counts for his alleged violent campaign against a Warren Black family claimed it wasn’t because of the color of their skin.
Michael John Frederick Jr., who is white, was arraigned in 37th District Court in Warren for alleged violent acts Sept. 7-10 directed at Eddie and Candace Hall for displaying a Black Lives Matter sign at their Tallman Street home.
He is accused of twice firing shots a total of nine shots at the home and a vehicle parked at the home, writing graffiti on a vehicle, slashing the tires of three vehicle, deeds he confessed to at Thursday morning’s proceeding and to police.
Frederick, who lives in the same neighborhood as the Halls behind the Hoover Eleven strip mall, defied Judge Michael Chupa’s order to not talk about the case and virtually confessed to the crimes.
“My No. 1 priority is
Mr. and Mrs. Hall … I want them to forgive me, judge,” he said. “I am extremely regretful forwhat I did. I can say it was not like me. It was out of character. This wasn’t about the color of anyone’s skin.”
Chupa interrupted him and told him again not to discuss the case.
Frederick went on: “I am just anxious to hear what the guidelines are going to be. I’d just like to make it speedy and as painless as possible.”
A police detective said in court Frederick confessed to the trio of incidents over the four days.
“Frederick claimed he targeted (the family) due to a Black Livesmatter sign that had been displayed in the front window of the house,” the detective said, adding Frederick maintained it wasn’t because they are Black.
Frederick was charged with three counts of ethnic intimidation, two counts of discharging a firearm at an occupied building, two counts of felony firearm and two malicious destruction of property counts, one for firing damage of building between $1,000 and $20,000 and one for damage of person property between $200 and $1,000.
The two most severe charges — discharging a firearm at a building — is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
He asked for a courtappointed attorney at the hearing, which was shown on the court’s website via Zoom video.
Details of the incidents were provided by the detective:
• Sept. 7, about 10:30 p.m. — Six shotswere fired at the house occupied by four people and a 2002 Ford F-150 parked at the home.
• Sept. 9, about 9:30 p.m. — A rock was thrown through the front window of the home, and the Halls discovered the tires were slashed on the F-150, a 2001 Infinity I30, and a 2006 BMW 325. Written in black marker on the F-150 was “terrorist,” “Black Lives Matter not welcome,” “Get the f—- out” and an image of a swastika.
• Sept. 10, about 11:20 p.m. — Two shots were fired at the home, with one bullet entering the front window and landing on a couch.
After the second shooting, “Based on the incidents, the Hall family were fearful for their safety and they sought shelter elsewhere,” the detective said in court.
Chupa also lectured Hall before setting a $200,000 bond, cash or surety.
“It is of great concern to me if in fact these things do bear out to be true,” Chupa said. “People should reasonably be able to disagree about politics without resorting to (violence).”
Frederick interrupted, “I agree with that.”
Chupa continued: “If you have a disagreement with someone about facts, engage in a conversation, try to figure things out. That’s what America is about. But using violence – whether motivated by race or politics or hatred or acrimony, I don’t care – that is not what America is about. We have enough problems in this country, without people shooting or violence or disruptions or riots or looting or burning, over politics. Think what you want to think, believe what you want to believe, but if you expect people to respect your opinions, then perhaps you should do the same for others.
“I am greatly concerned about the allegation violence was used as a result of opinion difference.
Frederick was ordered to have no direct or indirect contact with the Halls or be near their property.
The detective told the judge that officers received a tip Tuesday that Frederick was the culprit, and he was arrested after officers found clothes, including a mask and shoes, matching clothes the culprit wore in surveillance video during a search warrant of Frederick’s home.
The tipster said Frederick used a gun that was owned by his father’s exgirlfriend. The father told police he disassembled and disposed of the gun.
Investigators said another resident — who is white— was targeted a couple of blocks away. Frederick also confessed to those crimes, police said. He is expected to be charged for those alleged actions.
A defense attorney appointed for the arraignment only said Frederick lives with his father on Carrier Street and works at a meat market.