On Friday afternoon, separate juries found Joseph Wells Stapleton and Lance Allen Schmitt, both 21, guilty of the second degree murder of Lapeer resident Peter Richard.
The Clarkston men were charged after Richard, 44, died from a pulmonary embolism prosecutors linked to a 2002 beating by the defendants outside the Sashabaw Road McDonald’s.
Last week, Schmitt’s jury deliberated only four hours, while Stapleton’s jury could not reach a decision until Friday.
Although Schmitt’s verdict was reached early in the week, the jury’s decision was sealed until both juries finished deliberation.
Stapleton stared straight ahead as the jury foreman read the verdict.
‘He was fighting back tears,? said Arnold Weiner, Stapleton’s lawyer.
‘This is a travesty. If the jury was allowed to know that he already did 11 months, it would have been different. I can’t believe this occurred. I’m shaken,? Weiner continued. ‘We believe we introduced multiple reasonable doubts.?
Weiner stormed from the courtroom muttering expletives shortly after the court clerk polled the jury. Weiner reentered the courtroom and apologized at a deputy’s request.
Schmitt sat looking down, shaking his head after the guilty verdict was read. While walking away in shackles, Schmitt said ‘I hope you all are happy.?
Michael McCarthy, Schmitt’s lawyer, expressed angst afterwards.
‘I have no idea why the verdict came this way. When it goes down to the jury deliberating, you don’t know. We made good arguments here,? said McCarthy.
Assistant Prosecutor Gregory Townsend had little doubt the evidence would result in guilty verdicts and speculated the defendants would face a minimum of 15 years in prison.
‘People should learn from this, everyone is accountable for their actions. They beat him. Death is always an option when assault is involved,? said Townsend. ‘The tragedy is Peter Richard went to get burgers for the nurses and got beat and died.
What happened here today to these two is justice,? Townsend continued.
Richard’s widow, present through most of the trial, commented tearfully afterwards.
‘It’s a sad situation all the way around. We will remember the good things. It’s tough. I have two little kids who talk about him all the time,? said Donette Richard.
Michael McCarthy suggested appeals may be made on behalf of both men.
Sentencing is set for June 30 at 8:30 a.m before Judge Langford-Morris.