Alicia Hartner Controls the Minds of Men
UPDATE 12/23/08 - FreePhil was RIGHT! Yes, denizens, it’s true. The family members of Phillip Morris, Mike Wellwood and Alicia Hartner have much to be happy about for Christmas. The murder charges against Phil, Mike and Alicia (!) have been dropped. It appears that I, your loyal ImpQueen, was WRONG. W-R-O-N-G WRONG. So what next? Is Doyle Palmer to blame for the murders of Dennis Langley and Jack Mascow, or will their killers ever be found? I don’t know. All I know is that this is one story I’m happy to revise. Happy Holidays, FreePhil! More details after the jump.
Mike Wellwood, Alicia Hartner, Phillip Morris
Riverview, MI, March 6, 2008 — Somebody tell me why a guy named Phillip Morris needs to jack cigarettes, ’cause I just don’t get that. Alicia Hartner, 18, is accused of being the ringleader of a bizarre little threesome consisting of herself, her live-in boyfriend Mike Wellwood, 19, and her sort of boyfriend Phillip Morris, 22. The trio is charged with the murders of Dennis Langley and Jack Mascow, both 62, last week.
Alicia Hartner and her men are high-school rejects working menial jobs. The victims, Langley and Mascow, owned a vending company that distributed cigarettes. Dennis Langley had been the only father figure Alicia Hartner ever knew, supporting Alicia and her mother financially for a number of years. Although Langley and Alicia’s mother never married, he continued to funnel cash their way even after the breakup. Langley was generous to fault and kept large amounts of cigarette stock and cash in the house, which he shared with his business partner Jack Mascow.
The robbery was supposed to go down as planned last Wednesday night: break in, kill Dennis Langley, steal his stuff and his cash, leave. Mascow was not expected to be there, but when he surprised the stoned trio they stabbed, beat and shot him. Then they went into garage, where they stabbed Langley in the skull and liver. After stealing about two grand in cash and a bunch of smokes, the young murderers torched the garage and left in Langley’s white work van, which they also set aflame a few blocks away. Because they’re smart criminals like that.
Firefighters found Mascow’s body upstairs while fighting house fire at about 11:30 p.m Wednesday. On Thursday, police officers went back to the house and found Langley in the garage. After getting over 100 telephone tips, Alicia Hartner was fingered as the bad girl and arrested on Friday. The bozo boys were arrested on Saturday. Even Hartner’s mother has been questioned in this case, although she has not been charged at this point.
Let’s just get these felons’ Myspaces out there, shall we? Alicia Hartner’s is here and is definitely the most entertaining of the bunch. She has pics of her pipe and her friends and her friend’s five year old son pretending to down multiple fifths of liquor. That’s hawt. Interestingly, although she lived with Mike Wellwood, his Myspace is much lower-key with few details and almost no friends. And here’s Phillip Morris, who is kind enough to have wonderful pics of high Alicia, high Mike, and high himself. In not a single picture is he sober. (and thanks Amber for Phil’s link!)
All three killers were in court on Tuesday for arraignment on two counts of felony murder, two counts of first-degree murder, one count of conspiracy to commit murder, one count of first-degree home invasion, one count of arson and one count of felony use of a firearm. All three pleaded not guilty, and Wellwood and Morris cried like tlittle bitches. Â Hartner showed little emotion and told a judge she needed to get out because she “had a job interview.” Um, that murder thing might make it hard to get that Taco Bell gig, Alicia.
UPDATE 4/30/08 - Alicia Hartner, Mike Wellwood and Phillip “Free Phil” Morris were in court Tuesday for preliminary hearings. Testimony was contradictory on Alicia. Detective Scott Galeski said that “Ms. Hartner was more concerned about her well-being. Her reaction was blank.” But a prisoner in the cell next to Alicia’s refuted that, saying that Alicia cried and insisted she was innocent. Previous witness statements have indicated, though, that Alicia copped to the whole murder, so that remains up in the air.
Witness Joseph Vella, who was tesitfying to get out of drug charges, said that Hartner and Wellwood told him about their plan to rob Dennis Langley prior to the act. Then again, he said, they also told him they were gonna roll a homeless guy for pot to pay their rent, so he didn’t take them seriously.
Not a great deal was reportedly said about Phillip Morris. It’ll be very interesting to see what happens on Thursday afternoon, when Judge Randy Kalmbach is set to rule on whether the trio should be bound over for trial. Will Free Phil be freed? I don’t know, but I’m waiting to find out. Maybe some of his family can come let us know how things went.
UPDATE 5/01/08 - Judge Randy Kalmbach of the 27th District Court in Wyandotte ruled this afternoon that all three defendants will remain in jail and be bound over for trial in Wayne County.
In the meantime, check Alicia Hartner’s new Magic Jail Hair:
UPDATE 5/16/08 - Alicia Hartner, Mike Wellwood and Phillip “Free Phil” Morris were arraigned in Wayne County Court yesterday. According to family sources, Alicia will face a jury on her own, and Mike and Phil will share a jury and be tried together. There is a docket hearing scheduled for June 20, after which the trial is scheduled for sometime in September. All three suspects remain in custody.
UPDATE 08/06/08 - A fourth suspect in the murders of Dennis Langley and Jack Mascow has been arrested. Doyle Palmer, 41 (Myspace) is being held without bail in the Wayne County Jail. At this time, it is unclear what affect, if any, Palmer’s arrest will have on the trials of Alicia Hartner, Mike Wellwood, and Phillip Morris.
Palmer, a single father of two, was arrested primarily based on DNA evidence from a bloody tissue found in the Langley home. At this time, it does appear that he may drive a silver car very similar to that of Philip Morris, who is believed to have provided a gun and a getaway car for the robbery-turned-murder; this evidence, according to Phil’s family, may exonerate him.  At this time, however, all four suspects are being held without bail pending a hearing on August 29.
Here’s Doyle Palmer with his son, taken this summer:
Does Palmer hold the key to the Langley/Mascow murders? Or is he just an unlucky dude who got a nosebleed? As always, we’ll update as information becomes available.
UPDATE 12/23/08 - FreePhil was RIGHT! Yes, denizens, it’s true. The family members of Phillip Morris, Mike Wellwood and Alicia Hartner have much to be happy about for Christmas. The murder charges against Phil, Mike and Alicia (!) have been dropped. It appears that I, your loyal ImpQueen, was WRONG. W-R-O-N-G WRONG. So what next? Is Doyle Palmer to blame for the murders of Dennis Langley and Jack Mascow, or will their killers ever be found? I don’t know. All I know is that this is one story I’m happy to revise. Happy Holidays, FreePhil!
According to the statement released by prosecutor Kym Worthy, “We are dismissing the cases because during trial preparation it was discovered that two of our main witnesses on these three defendants — not on (Palmer’s) cases — were discovered to be untruthful in material ways and were inconsistent with the physical evidence. We simply will not proceed at this time.”
And yes, for the record, this is twice I’ve been wrong about someone’s guilt. TWICE. Not counting the one time I was wrong about someone’s innocence. I think I hear Morbid laughing.
I am wondering if medical records can be subpoened for the trial. I mean anyone can say anything to a therapist just so it will be on record. I also wonder if a lie detector test will be administered to Alicia. I know they are not admissible in court but certainly can help with investigations. I still feel that the way we now have zero tolerance for molestation and pedophilia that they would have really investigated this case. Especially since she may have still been a minor. How humiliating for Dennis if they brought these false charges up in the community where he lived and worked.
I know these molestation things can be a person’s dirty little secret and I try to set my emotions aside in this case but I still think there is something behind these charges. I know that Michelle could be very manipulative and was used to using people to get what she wanted.
Gosh - I’m sad thinking that Jack & Dennis were stolen from us because of this stupid little bitch and her mother! THEY will get what’s coming to them because of Carma… bad carma…
I think that if someone drives friends from a crime and does not then go directly and immediately to the police to report the crime and those friends, that person is guilty of real wrong.
A friend of mine told me that a friend of hers brought up the same point. If Phil thought he was just the getaway for a home invasion/ robbery he might have started out being a less guilty party. When Phil realized they had blood on them, their hands, clothes, the money, whatever, he should have driven straight to the police department or if he was afraid they would kill him he should have went into a bathroom and called the police. Hopefully he is spilling his guts in the Wayne county lock up which might help him get a lesser sentence. This whole tradgedy is a no win for everyone involved and everyone who knew the victims. I know I personally shall never recover from this loss.
I’m sure we’re going to find out soon how involved all 3 of them were. None of them seem very intelligent and probably have already started pointing fingers at each other. here is a link to the obits for Jack and Dennis with pictures and a tribute. No pics of the little murder suspect or her mother:
http://www.martenson.com/
After having some time to learn to cope with the situation, I, Phil’s sister have come back here to clear a few things up. My family and I are still going through a lot right now with my brother being held in jail for a crime he did not commit or have any knowledge of. I understand that people reading or watching the news are going to make assumptions based solely on what they are told. The first thing about that, that I have a problem with is that going from one news story to another, the ages and even spelling of names is not consistent. There are also discrepancies in the news stories as the WHEN each of them was arrested. I really do not want to say too much only because I really do believe in my heart and soul that the truth will come out in court. What I can say is this, and this is not information you will find in any newpaper… all 3 of them were arrested at the same time, on Friday Feb. 23rd, not Alicia Friday and the 2 boys the next day as it has been stated in news articles. I also know that Phil was with his friend and his fiance’s son at home at 11:15PM when his friend left and was still at home at 11:30PM with his fiance. Phil never left the house so there is no way he could have been driving the “getaway” car. I also know, for a fact that Mike & Alicia had borrowed Phil’s car in the past since they were both jobless losers that used other people for what seems to be everything. I can also tell you that my brother is a very caring person. I went through and read all the posts on here before posting this and I want to thank all of you who said you had been to his myspace page and that he seems like a good guy. He really is a good guy. His downfall in all of this was making friends with the wrong people and that is his only fault. It seems aparent to more than just family and friends but other people looking at the situation in its entirety that things are not adding up. Here is what I truely believe to be the scenario… They are charging my brother so that they can hold him in jail. They want to hold him in jail because they “think” he will tell them something they don’t already know. The treatment he is receiving while being held in jail is insane!! I wouldn’t wish my worst enemy to have to endure what he already has and I am sure will go through before he is released. My hopes and prayers are that when they go to court the next time for the preliminary investigation that the judge will look at the FACTS and release my brother in connection with all of this. The police seem to think my brother drove the car but never entered the property but my brother never left his house. It seems to be a mistake one way or the other, mistake made on the cops part or a case of mistaken identity… I have theories of my own and I tend to be a bit of a conspiracy theorist at times and there are several things that have happened involving this case (that I would rather not mention) that lead me to believe there were a lot of mistakes made and now they are trying to be fixed but so far unsuccessfully … I really do feel sorry for those people who lost their loved one in such a sick and senseless crime and I really hope the ones who actually committed the crime are punished. I also really hope that the truth comes out and my brother is released as he deserves to be. I will be at the next court date, you can bet on that! FREE PHIL!!!! FREE PHIL!!!!
FreePhil, thanks for coming back to comment. That’s a pretty good-sized wall of words ya got there, and I gave it my best shot despite my usual need for paragraph spacing.
Sounds like things still aren’t going so well for Phil. Now I dunno, and I’m probably a moron about stuff, but it seems like it should be no real problem to confirm Phil’s alibi. I mean, if you were there with him, and his girlfriend was there, then there’s no way he could even really be charged, right?
What does his lawyer say?
“Probable Cause”
I understand how he could have lent them the car, and been unintentionally involved, but there was some sort of probable cause or arraignment to determine his involvement and whether to set bond or not. WHAT HAPPENED??
For him to still be there, there would have had to be something or some one implicating him.
TY my queen.
I’m about the last damn person to call someone on punctuation, grammar, or spelling mainly because I can’t spell Kat if you spot me the K and the Z.
Please people, for the love of Bacardi 151 use that golfing enter key to separate your words.
My old fuggin eyes need all the help they can get!!!
R
As it stands right now the only thing we know of how the police think Phil is involved is that they told Phil that Alicia is the one who told them he was there. The police are harassing my brother on a daily basis and my theory is because they don’t have what they need to prosecute, or at least to prosecute my brother. Last I was told the police have NEVER recovered the murder weapon (gun) or the money and cigs that were stolen from the house prior to the arson.
In court, at their arraignment, the officer stating the information to the judge stated flat out that they do not believe that Phil entered the house but was the driver of the getaway car. In Michigan you can be charged with murder if you drove the vehicle that was used during the crime. It was explained to me in the sense that if I robbed a bank and you drove the getaway car and I killed someone in the bank then you and I are both going to be charged with the murder.
I was also told that IF, and right now it is a huge IF, my brother is bound over to circuit court and will actually stand trial that the charges will be lessened once it enters the Wayne County Court system. We are holding onto the hope that my brother will be released at the next court date seeing as how we don’t believe there to be any REAL evidence linking my brother to the crime or even to the area at the time the crime was committed.
As for the times, I did notice discrepancies in comments that were posted here. The police did not find the first body at 11:30PM that night, they ARRIVED AT THE SCENE OF THE BURNING HOUSE AT 11:30pM and within minutes received the call that the van was on fire a few blocks away. That is what was stated by the officer in court at the arraignment. So, given that fact, my brother was at home with his friend at 11:15PM, 2 cities away from where this happened, and the police arrived on the scene of the crime at 11:30PM to find the house already on fire and the van already gone and in the process of being set on fire (obviously given they received the call on the van MINUTES after they arrived at the house at 11:30PM) it is physically impossible for my brother to have been there at all. It would have taken him at least 15-20 minutes to get from his house to the crime scene but he was at home at 11:30PM with his fiance and step-son. Can anyone tell me how that would be possible to drive 20 or so minutes away from home, kill 2 men, rob a house, set the house on fire, drive a van a couple blocks away, set it on fire and be back home, all in less than 15 minutes time?
There are a lot of things about this case that do not add up. The questions you all have about things not making sense are only a fraction of the questions we as his family have about how the police even figure he was involved at all. We do have a lawyer for my brother, who right away said with no evidence in his hands, going based only on what he heard and read in the news that he belieed my brother was not involved and after having taken his case and spoke with him, believes all the more that he is innocent. There are also many things going on with the police that are investigating the crime and a lack of turning over evidence to our attorney, assuming that there is any evidence to turn over.
In my opinion, the police are trying to make a case because somewhere along the way THEY fucked up and now are having to “fix” the mistakes they made. Also, the area where all of this took place has recently started a new police task force to handle major crimes in the Downriver area and this is their FIRST case. Imagine what douchebags they are gonna look like if they couldn’t even handle their FIRST case. Would you want your tax dollars paying for that???
I will finally get to see my brother tonight during visitation at the jail and believe me I have a ton of questions to ask him but most importantly I want to make sure that my sweet, loving, caring wonderful Baby Broham is holding himself together during all of this. If you have never been accused of doing something you did not do then you have no idea what he is feeling or going through right now. I would ask that any of you out there who truely believe “Innocent until proven guilty” pray for my family and especially my brother who did nothing to deserve what he is going through.
Also one last thing and then I am outta here, my brother had only known these 2 fuck-ups for about 3 weeks!
Look Imp, I spaced
Beautiful spacing, FreePhil! Thank you for taking that advice — it makes it an absolute pleasure to read what you have to write, instead of a chore.
And thank you doubly for taking the time to share information with us. I am hoping that if what you’ve presented is true (i.e., if what your brother told YOU is true) that it all shakes out in court SOON, and he get released.
He really only knew them for 3 weeks, and he’d already lent them his car on other occasions? Your brother is either amazingly generous, or kind of naive, eh? Or maybe a little of both?
I for one, really appreciate all you’ve been sharing with us. Hang in there. Your brother is white, has family standing with him, and has legal counsel — I have no doubt that justice will be served!!
Does anyone know what happened at the hearing that was on March 13? The news never mentioned anything about it. Also, does anyone know where and when the next hearing is being held?
There was not a hearing on March 13th. We had to waive the right to a preliminary investigation within 14 days in order for our attorney to be able to get the evidence pertaining to the case so the court date was changed. The Prosecution likes to keep all the defendants in a case on the same court schedule so they are all 3 having their prelim. investigation at the same time. If I may ask, why do you want to know when the next court date is?
thanks,
Nikky, sister of FREE PHIL!!!
I want to know if they are going to free Phil.
Nikky, sister of FREE PHIL!!!
I do appreciate the spacing.
I think people just want to be in the know when Phil is released, that’s all.
I gotta admit, I’m confused by the “three weeks” thing.
I mean, Alicia’s first on Phil’s Top Friends, outranking his live-in girlfriend and his family (yep, she’s in front of you, FreePhil.). He’s third on her Myspace, right behind Mike. He’s got pics of her and Mike on his Myspace, in his apartment. She has pics of them posing with his girlfriend’s five year old, tipping up liquor bottles, all kinds of stuff. He says of Alicia “Ain’t nobody like my boo, and I ain’t never lie”.
That sounds a little more intimate and of longer duration than three weeks, or else Phil fell really hard really fast. I’m not sure Phil is being entirely truthful with his family about his relationship with Alicia.
He has always been the type to fall fast and fall hard, he has had his heart broken way more times than most boys/guys have. Alicia reminded him of his first real love, Amanda and that is what he told my mom about her as well. He has the kind of relationship with my mom and I that he can talk to us about anything and did quite often. He had developed a bit of a crush on Alicia although he would never have acted on it.
The pictures of Mike & Alicia at his apartment were very recent, probably less than a week old, of them with Daniel being goofy. Yes, he had only known them for 3 weeks when all of this happened but had been hanging out with them almost daily since they all met.
My brother is a very trusting person and without sounding like a bitch, he is a bit naive for being a guy and also being 22 years old. I grew up in Southwest Detroit and had a lot of street smarts at a young age so I am neither naive or trusting of most people really. I only wish I could have instilled some of that in him growing up, although he would not be the great guy that he is if he wasn’t so trusting and kind. I do believe that once this is over and he is back home with all of us that he will be more picky of who he hangs out with.
I already told him he can come to my house everyday and hang out if he wants to, that would be better than a couple mental cases wrangling him up in their shit because he is a nice guy. You know, I have read things about Langley, Alicia’s step-dad and how he was such a great guy. Maybe Alicia was “drawn” to people she could use and take advantage of. Mike seems like an easy target too because he probably felt really lucky to have a girlfriend.
Court is less than 2 weeks away and I am feeling really confident, given everything that is going on, that Phil will be coming home with us at the end of court. I will be sure to let you all know what happens in court and thanks for being decent in the questions that you ask of me as this is still a very trying time for us all.
Well, if Phil really wasn’t involved then I hope he does get out soon. It just seems that Alicia and her weasly little boyfriend couldn’t have overpowered these two men on their own. Although I guess it is possible since they had a gun. BTW, Dennis was not Alicia’s stepdad, they just lived with him for a while.
Hopefully, the ones who were responsible will get what is coming to them. It’s just too bad that Alicia’s trampy, worthless mother couldn’t be charged for raising such a loser. I am sure that is who Alicia learned her evil ways from and is the reason all of this happened.
ok, i have been reading everyones comments and i guess i would just like to…i don’t know fill in some blanks. I would also like to say my heart goes out to the Langley and Mascow family. Dennis and Jack were good friends to me and my husband.
Now, Michelle got the Langley last name from her former husband. The former husband is NOT Alicia’s biological father. Michelle never allowed her daughter to have a relationship with him. She finally got to know him at about age 16, by then it was to late for that. He also never tried go to court and demand to see his child.
Michelle and Alicia lived with Dennis on again, off again for about 13 years. And yes he paid for EVERYTHING.
During the off times Michelle usually lived with another man, and usually did get engaged to him. When that was over, the cycle with Dennis would start again. Mind you, Alicia is seeing all this crap her mother is doing. Watching her, very closely, lie, cheat, manipulate. And should anyone be very suprised that the child turned out that way.
Michelles mom died very suddenly when she was 16 and Alicia was 6 months old. Her dad just basically couldn’t even deal with the death, and remarried within 2 years. There is one sister and one brother in the family.
Alicia had always been a very smart little girl, doing well in school and always wanted to be a veternairian. She draws beautifully and could’ve been an artist. Her poems were amazing. As a teen she obviously started to act out…who wouldn’t have……not knowing her father, not knowing if he loved her and then well of course the mother factor.
That is it for now.
Thanks for letting me post.
I Am Me….do you happen to be Michelle’s sister?
yes
i am me….
thank you for posting. I appreciate the information and clarification you’ve brought here. I hope you’re doing okay.
Actually, I am not doing ok. I could not have ever imagined this happening, not even in my worst nightmares. The most horrific story downriver has ever seen involves my family members and my friends. But thanks for asking.
I was just curious to know the next court date because I found it odd that the news had not said anything about it. I did not know the victims personally, but I do know people that did. I didn’t know any of the accused personally, but again, I know people that did. Downriver really isn’t that big and it is very easy to be touched in some sort of way by this story. I actually worked somewhere that Alicia’s mother spent a lot of time a few years back. I didn’t get to know her personally, but I do remember her. This is a very sad situation all around. Two men are dead, three young lives are ruined, and families are torn apart. My heart goes out to many people involved here.
The next court date is set for April 3.
Now that I think of it, I have actually met you Free Phil. A few times at a bar in Lincoln Park doing karaoke. I really do hope that everything works out for your brother. I remember when I was that age. I got myself into some situations because of who I hung around. I really do think it is possible that he is in jail just because he happened to know these 2 people. I also remember being that age and falling fast for people. So, that is very possible. Reading his myspace, you do get the sense that he is a very sweet guy. I pray for you and your family Nikky.
Nikky, thank you for the information.
I have to agree w/Amber29 that at a young age I was also the girl who fell hard & fast. I used to hang around with the wrong crowd and could very well have ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time. I know Morbid mentioned the wild girls that went to Christian schools, etc. I think he forgot my group…the police officer’s daughter. I was a wild one!
I truly hope that you’re correct and your brother is not involved in this crime in any way. If he has a solid alibi that is verifiable I believe any attorney should be able to prove that and get him released. If that’s the case I hope it’s sooner rather than later. My heart goes out to all the families involved in this case. What a tragedy that two men lost their lives this way.
I believe in the power of prayer and will continue to pray that Phil is released soon if he is indeed innocent.
thank you Amber29 and tray-bay-bay for your kind words. I was finally able to see and talk to my brother on Thursday night and despite having lost like 10 pounds (on his already slender frame) he seems to be holding it together. Better than I ever could being in his shoes. He has a meeting with his attorney tomorrow and hopefully by then we will know something more than we do.
He has also been able to call my house and talk to my husband and I. It was really nice that he called yesterday and our sister was at my house so she got to talk to him for the first time since all of this started. It really helped to set her mind a little at ease as well. Right now all we can do is pray and wait because according to the lawyer, nothing is going to change as far as them holding Phil until the court date. Less than 2 weeks away!!
Oh and Amber29 .. what bar??? LOL I go to a couple occasionally… say hi next time
FreePhil I am just curious….if Phil had a fiancee then what was he doing with those two all of the time? If he was so taken with Alicia, then what did the fiancee think of that situation? And why would Alicia accuse Phil if he wasn’t even there? Was she mad at him about something?
Just a quick update on Phil, his lawyer JUST got the discovery packet from the prosecutor on Tuesday, after multiple requests and having to file a motion with the court to MAKE them turn over the evidence. The lawyer said he went through everything and it looks really good for my brother. To me that says that the prosecution does not have a case against him or if they do have one it’s not very solid. I get to go see him tonight and that will be the last time I see him before he goes to court next week. Hopefully he will be coming home with us at the end of court.
Hi I have’nt written or even perused this blog in a while.
I wonder if Phil has had contact at all with the other two while in Wayne County. I am wondering if Alicia will make her boyfriend Mike the fall guy. She could have a chance of a 15 year sentence and maybe get out sooner.
I have heard that they will not be charged with pre meditated murder even thought they had weapons with them. I understand the knife was recovered but not the gun. I also understand that in a home invasion many times weapons are brought to the crime but with the intent of using them to get away not to do harm. hmmm Anyone know anything about these details?
Does anyone know if Michelle has visited Alicia?
A belated thanks to Ruby for posting the original info on this horrible crime.
I posted a while back and didn’t space my paragraphs. My apologies to all who read them.
I speak to some of Dennis’ family members almost daily and as expected they have not recovered at all from this horrific crime..they are barely getting through their daily routines.
As I am me stated, this crime has affected the entire downriver community. None of us who knew Dennis and Jack will ever be the same.
Thanks for the update, Freephil!
Thanks for the updates, Nalyd and FreePhil
Hi
I am wondering what happened in court today?
I heard that Michelle was there. I am wondering if Free Phil has any news in regard to her brother.
Perhaps I am me will share with us.
My thoughts are with the families as they will have to hear the details of this nightmare in a court of law.
Nalyd I thought you said that you talked to the Langley family everyday. Weren’t they in court?
As a family member of Dennis Langley I have been reading these postings over the past month as a source of opinions and speculation. After reading all the comments and responses regarding Phil’s character and involvement in this horrific act of stupidity I would like to add my thoughts.
If in fact Phil or anybody else for that matter turns up to have ANY involvement in the planning or execution of this act against Dennis and Jack they should be punished to the greatest extent. If in fact Phil had any level of involvement, then it makes me sick to think that anybody would buy into a gesture of sympathy towards those who participated in the brutal murder of two men in their 60’s and then set their house on fire.
As an individual who has been in communication with the police department since the start of the investigation, I have been thoroughly impressed with their efforts and expertise in recreating the night at Dennis’s house. Having that said, I find it hard to believe that they would contain any individual that they didn’t feel played a role in the event on Feb 27th, 2008. Again, if it turns out that anybody in question had ZERO involvement in the planning or execution then they deserve to be set free and should probably re-think the group of friends they are hanging out with.
Does the Downriver area really want people loose in the community who could be willing to even participate in a crime as horrific as this? Dennis and Jack were two great guys who were loved and admired by a large group of family and friends. There were approximately 1000 people who showed up to their funeral to pay their respects and talk about the great memories they had with them. Those that truly knew Dennis and Jack will miss them dearly and those responsible for taking them from us should be punished accordingly.
Thanks for posting, DL.
nalyd, sorry I can not update regarding what went on in court today. I live out of state and get my info from news, here and my family. I haven’t spoke with my sister since Dennis and Jack were identified. and I haven’t spoke with my brother, as I don’t think he cares for my opinions regarding this matter.
DL my sincerest thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
I think you may have misread my March 27th comment C.C. I do speak to several members of the family quite often. I did not say daily.
I knew Dennis and Jack for over 20 years. I loved them both dearly.
I had not yet spoken to any of Dennis’ brothers when I posted that comment. I do know that Phil has not been released at this time. They will be in court again on April 29th.
I did not mean to offend anyone by my questions. I was not trying to be boastful about my relationship to this very special Wyandotte family. I visit this blog to hear other’s insights and information, and to occasionally give my own insights or opinions.
Here is an article from today….
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Ex-inmate claims teen confessed to Riverview murders
Christine Ferretti / The Detroit News
WYANDOTTE — A jailhouse snitch has emerged to claim that an accused teenage mastermind confessed to her that she engineered the murder of two roommates who authorities allege were killed for cigarettes and cash.
Wayne County prosecutors say they’ve obtained a 1 ½ -page statement from Carla Strait, a former inmate at Wyandotte Jail. The statement claims Alicia Marie Hartner, 18, admitted she and her boyfriend, Michael Wellwood II, 19, were involved in the Feb. 27 murder and arson, according to Wellwood’s attorney, Sanford A. Schulman.
The surprise delayed a preliminary hearing set for Thursday of the Woodhaven pair and a neighbor, Phillip Morris, 22. They face murder charges on claims they killed the ex-boyfriend of Hartner’s mother, Dennis Langley, 62, of Riverview, and roommate John Mascow, 63.
Advertisement
Schulman said he received the documents — as well as a six-page statement from Hartner — from an assistant prosecutor just before the hearing in 27th District Court was expected to begin.
In the documents, Strait claims Hartner told her in March that “Alicia and Mike were involved in the murder,” Schulman said.
“At this time there is no physical evidence, DNA, footprints blood and no scientific evidence (linking Wellwood to the crime),” Schulman said.
Police claim Hartner was the mastermind behind the scheme at Langley’s home in the 20000 block of Coachwood. Police said the trio shot, stabbed and beat the men and then set the house on fire to cover the crime. They took about $2,000 and a large amount of cigarettes, as well as Langley’s white work van.
Judge Randy L. Kalmbach delayed the hearing to April 29 over objections from Christine Kowal, an assistant Wayne County prosecutor. She argued that attorneys had three hours to review the new documents. But Hartner’s attorney, Todd Lanctot, said “these are not small or minor reports they are very critical.”
You can reach Christine Ferretti at (734) 462-2289 or cferretti@detnews.com.
Is that supposed to say Morris instead of Wellwood?
Nope. Schulman is Mike Wellwood’s lawyer, so he’s doing the lawyer dance. The house was set on fire, so of course there wouldn’t be footprints, blood, etc. at the actual crime scene - but Schulman doesn’t mention that part.
DL, welcome, and thanks for your articulate comment. Well said, and I wholeheartedly agree with you.
Impqueen I wrote to the free press gal about the statement I questioned on your blog, which appeared in the Detroit Free Press today, April 4th. You were absolutly on target. She answered me in an email saying that both Wellwood and Morris’ attorneys are taking that stance.
There is no actual physical evidence linking them to the crime scene, although Alicia has implicated them in her confession. The lawyer dance….very interesting.
Pardon me, in my previous comment I typed Detroit Free Press when I meant to type The Detroit News.
My edit time had run out…
Alicia, Mike and Phil are in court today for preliminary hearings. No word yet on whether Phil will in fact be freed. So far all i know is that one witness, Joseph Vella, has been testifying that Alicia and Mike planned the robbery and he knew about it but didn’t take it seriously. No real mention of Phil during Vella’s testimony, though.
Be interesting to see what happens.
Were there any other witnesses testifying today? Sounds like maybe this will go on for a few days…
Any other updates on this case are appreciated!
Welcome MizRedHead, you’re in good red company around here
Carla Strait, an inmate in the cell next to Alicia Hartner’s, also testified, as did detectives on the case. I’ve updated the article today and will continue to do so as new information comes in.
I’m hoping we’ll hear a little from the FreePhils about how it went for Phillip Morris, because very little has been said about him in regards to yesterday’s hearing.
I found this at thenewsherald.com:
(edit: snipped to keep cranky news sources from getting annoyed with us for quoting their articles in their entirety
)
….Wyandotte police Detective Scott Galeski testified that while she was in custody, Hartner voluntarily made a written statement that she had been at a social gathering at the Lincoln Park house of Joseph Vella several days before the homicides when she talked about robbing Langley, identified as her stepfather. She said Wellwood would kill Langley or Mascow if he saw that either one had a gun.
They allegedly carried through the plan. In her statement, Hartner said Wellwood entered through the balcony and she heard shots. She told Wellwood “things went too far.” Wellwood then hid in the garage as Langley pulled in, and when he got out of the vehicle, Wellwood stabbed him.
They took the van, which was found on fire a couple of blocks away on Edsel in Trenton. Hartner said Wellwood called Morris, who then picked them up in his car and drove to his mother’s house in Taylor.
(other edit: to bold the part about Phil.)
Jelloshotmaker,
Thanks for posting, and welcome to the site! I had to do a little editing of your excellent comment to keep cranky news sources off us (they dislike entire articles being posted, even if you credit them). I also bolded the Phil part. I normally don’t edit, so I hope you don’t mind too much
It really is looking like all Phil did was drive the getaway car. Now, that still might be enough to get his ass in a sling, but it probably isn’t enough to get him convicted of murder.
Alicia and her magic cooter are toast, though. Ditto Mike.