Case goes ahead for teen accused of murder
A Livingston County teen linked to an alleged marijuana deal that turned deadly last October in Pontiac will face an Oakland County Circuit judge as a criminal case against him proceeds.
Max Bastien, 18, of Genoa Township, is charged with second-degree homicide and weapons-related offenses for the fatal shooting of Christopher Grant Alexander, 18, of Pontiac. At the conclusion of a preliminary exam Wednesday in 50th District Court, Judge Ronda Gross said there was enough evidence presented for the case to proceed.
Among those testifying at the preliminary exam was Aaliya Haas, who said she set up the drug sale via Snapchat on Oct. 9, 2020. After getting a prospective buyer through the online app, she, Bastien and another male — described as her boyfriend and the father of her child — traveled from the Brighton area to Pontiac where they met up with the prospective buyer and Alexander on Thorpe Street.
After talking for a short time in the car, Haas said Alexander appeared “panicky” and wanted out of the car.
Alexander and the other person then exited the car and fled, she said, as Bastien also got out. Haas testified that she heard a gunshot but denied seeing Bastien fire a weapon.
However, Haas’ boyfriend, who was in the driver’s seat, testified that Alexander exited the car, followed by the other who had “grabbed the weed.” Bastien got out of the car after them and, he said, it was then that he saw that Bastien had a handgun and heard him yell to the fleeing teens to “stop or else I’ll shoot.” He said he then heard a gunshot and saw one of the teens, later identified as Alexander, fall.
“Max got in (the car) and told me to drive off,” he said.
He further testified that on the drive back, Bastien said he was sorry for shooting the teen — but few other words were spoken.
“Max asked us to be quiet, so we didn’t say much,” he said.
According to prosecutors, the shooting happened over less than one ounce of marijuana.
Bastien is scheduled for arraignment Aug. 2 before Oakland County Circuit Judge Cheryl Matthews. He’s held in the Oakland County Jail, denied bond.