Chuck Nessa

A safe ending: Taser shot subdues man after two-hour standoff Wednesday, July 27, 2005 By Lisa Medendorp CHRONICLE STAFF WRITER A Taser fired by a Michigan State Police trooper put an end to a nearly two-hour standoff with an armed man Tuesday after the suspect stepped out the front door of a Whitehall home. The Muskegon County Prosecutor's Office identified the man as 22-year-old Lee Michael Sterhan. He was not injured by the Taser, which is an electro-shock device that causes temporary incapacitation. Officers rushed to restrain Sterhan while he was on the ground. He was then handcuffed and loaded -- yelling and screaming at police -- into a cruiser that was headed for the Muskegon County Jail. That was at 12:50 p.m. About a half-hour before, Kristen Mura, 24, and her 3-year-old son, Brandon, had escaped unharmed out the same front door at 128 Tulgeywood. Whitehall Detective Brandon Mahoney said Mura had awakened at 11:16 a.m. to find the suspect, who was an acquaintance, in her bedroom. He was wearing a ski mask and threatened her, according to police. "At some point, she was able to sneak off to the bathroom and made a (911) call from there," Mahoney said. But she disconnected, saying she wanted to go back to her son, who was still in the bedroom with Sterhan. Sterhan had created a disturbance during the early morning hours at the Mura home and had been sought by police throughout the night. Mahoney said Mura was frightened and had locked the doors to the home as well as her bedroom door. Police believe Sterhan got into the home through a small kitchen window and then used a butter knife to gain entry to Mura's bedroom. At 11:32 a.m., she called 911 again. "She said he had the gun in his waistband and she wanted police to hurry," Mahoney said. "Originally, she did not feel she could leave," Mahoney said. But she made a third 911 call about five minutes later indicating he was in the basement and she was in an upstairs bedroom. "We talked her out of the house," Mahoney said. "I don't think he knew we were out there at first," Mahoney said. Sterhan, a parolee from Muskegon, was expected to be arraigned today in 60th District Court on four felony charges -- breaking and entering, assault with a dangerous weapon, being a felon in possession of a firearm and a felony firearm count. The sequence of events that led to the standoff began at 3:42 a.m. Tuesday when Whitehall police responded to the Mura residence on a domestic disturbance call involving Sterhan. Mahoney said officers were told "he was acting crazy." Sterhan was a friend of Mura's ex-boyfriend, according to police. He had been let into the home, and when Mura called police, "he was burning food in the kitchen," Mahoney said. "He threw a couch and was punching holes in the wall. She was trying to kick him out." In addition to Mura and her son, a 17-year-old baby sitter also was present, police said. Sterhan fled when Mura called police, running between houses, over fences and through yards in the quiet neighborhood. Police were unable to find him. About 4:30 a.m., officers got another call from Mura indicating Sterhan was back at the house, trying to get in. An officer saw him in a yard to the north of the home, but he got away. Mahoney said police continued to search for him until about 6:30 a.m. At 9:41 a.m., police got a report of a breaking and entering at the Tulgeywood Lane home of a state police trooper in the same block as the Mura residence. The burglary was discovered by the trooper's sister, who lives next door. "She discovered handgun cases out and other items scattered about," said Whitehall Police Chief Donald Hulbert. The woman called police and called her brother, who works in Grand Rapids. As soon as the trooper arrived home, "he confirmed that two handguns, ammunition and other personal items were taken," Hulbert said, adding that officers began to think the two incidents hours apart on Tulgeywood might be related. Police later determined the break-in had occurred around 7:40 a.m. Whitehall Officer Jim Duram then called the Mura residence. Someone answered and hung up the phone. Duram called back, and "the telephone was answered by a male subject who appeared to be intoxicated and agitated," Hulbert said. The man said Mura couldn't come to the phone, Mahoney said. Police set up a perimeter around the house about 10:50 a.m., and Hulbert contacted state police requesting a negotiator and the Emergency Services Team, a unit that specializes in high-risk entries. In addition to Whitehall police, officers from Montague and the Muskegon County Sheriff's Department, and other state police troopers surrounded the home. Officers on the perimeter could see Sterhan moving around inside the house. Hulbert said a negotiator called inside to make contact with Sterhan. The suspect started to exit the house as he was answering the phone, the chief said. Sterhan was headed toward a car parked in the driveway. "He was ordered several times to stop and show his hands," Hulbert said. "He made a gesture toward his pocket and was shot with a Taser. That brought him to the ground immediately." Although the situation could have warranted the use of deadly force, Hulbert said officers used their best judgment and felt the Taser was the appropriate course of action. The two stolen handguns were found inside 128 Tulgeywood, Hulbert said. One of the weapons that had been stored unloaded at the trooper's home was found loaded when it was recovered, he said. As the situation intensified Tuesday, police in plainclothes had gone door to door in the neighborhood telling people about what was going on and giving them the option to stay home and away from windows and doors, or to leave.

JRTD only did transfers for the very earliest JSP issues - talking about 20 years ago. The label is under different ownership and they have changed tactics. Where do you get the information Universal Music Group distributes these in the US?

I saw the bad guy walk right behind the space you parked your machine. How you doin'?

BTW, if you don't know "what's up" why give a whack?

You the guy with 9 thumbs?

No s@#t. What if his kids got a hold of those guns... Looks like Doug might be assigned to the parkiing meter duty for a while. ← No kids in the house. It turns out the bad guy had 2 or 3 hours in his house - drank his booze, tossed his files, drawers, stole 2 duffle bags of stuff. State cops do not have meters.

We didn't issue the Garner stuff, so she's off the list. BUT this was a really sobering event. About an hour ago the woman and child held hostage (by her boyfriend) drove by to survey the scene. Doug, the state cop who had his guns stolen is very upset he since he feels he endangered his neighbors and is concerned about his career since he might have violated protocols.

Damn, the first time in weeks that I don't watch the news, and I could have seen Chuck's house! ← Nope, just the mailbox covered with morning glories (heavenly blues), an interesting flower garden (courtesy of Ann) and asphalt. Did I spell that right?

What a lame assed attempt at credibility. "Hey, let's put on a show! We can play earlier music AND be praised for knowing it is worthwhile! Just like the classical guys did with music before there were recordings of the originators. I bet we can make more money than the real artists."

Local NBC station just showed a cop car turning around in our driveway.

Looks like this: Cops go to one house at 3 am for a "domestic" and leave. At 5 cops were searching yards for someone. Just before 8 I see a guy cutting across yards carrying 2 blue dufflebags. He seemed to come from Doug's house - Doug is the state cop. Doug's sister lives next door and the plumbers were at her house. Her water was shut off so she went to Doug's to get some at 10. On entering the house she sees it is trashed with beer cans everywhere and she calls 911. Police discover 2 guns and ammo missing and lock down the area. Turns out the guy returned to the scene of the "domestic" and held the woman and child hostage.

The police just declined to tell me anything. Then 3 of them went into the house where all the action was. Still about 15 cars and tons of police and some press on the block.

About 11 this morning I noticed 3 cop cars on out street. Not too unusual since the guy 2 houses down is a state cop. I got on my bike to make my regular run to the PO and noticed a backhoe in a neighbors front yard and a plumbing truck in the street. About a 100 feet from my house I was stopped by 2 officers who asked where I lived. They told me to go back home, lock it up and get to the basement. I thought maybe the backhoe hit a gas line but the gas in our house worked. A few minutes later I saw 2 swat guys run in front of our house. They crouched down behind bushes and a third dashed into the back yard across the street. Over the next half hour more "troops" arrived. Suddenly a bunch of activity and some guy is screaming and swearing at the top of his lungs. I think I heard a couple of "pops" and they yelled stay down. Most of the activity was obscured the trees and shrubs in my yard. It's over right now but lots of cops on the block. More when I know. Gotta calm my heart.

Bud Shank, Jack Nimitz, Stu Williamson, Carl Fontana, Russ Freeman, Red Mitchell, Mel Lewis and Bill Perkins.

Around the same time ('70s) Bob Porter issued 2 lps on his Phoenix label by Bill Harris and Charlie Ventura. This stuff is from the Three Deuces in April of '47. The pianist is Ralph Burns and Dave Tough is on drums.

You mean like this one? ← 'cept that one.

Tophers are cool.

Wonderful musician and from my experience, a first class human. Thanks for the beauty you gave Mr. M.

I'm sure YOU can find someone to supply a burn.

After the KOB book I received a call from Ashley Kahn telling me he was doing the "Love Supreme" book and he had a couple of questions for me (since I'd actually heard Coltrane in person ). I said "Of course you are". Months later when I had the opportunity to shake his hand, he hesitated and went away.

So, I'm supposed to feel guilty?

I spoke with Scott Wenzel from Mosaic in late June and he said that Mosaic will be releasing it on vinyl. ← For really good vinyl sound, this will have to be a 2 lp set. 51+ minutes is short for that at current vinyl costs.

Thanks.

Don't think you did much more than wet yourself 10 years ago.