Suspect faces forensic evaluation
Five charges filed; Up to life in prison with no parole
ALMONT — A probable cause hearing for William Leroy Channer III of Columbus took place Monday afternoon in District Court with 71A District Judge Laura Cheger Barnard presiding.
According to Lapeer County Prosecutor John Miller, the process was held via zoom, due to Channer still being hospitalized and recovering from gunshot wounds sustained in a shootout with two Lapeer County sheriff deputies.
At a probable cause hearing, a determination is reached as to whether or not there is enough evidence for the case to proceed to a trial.
Instead of making the determination in the hearing, Judge Barnard granted a motion by the defense attorney requesting a forensic evaluation on Channer.
Prosecutor Miller said, “the evaluation is two-phase. One, it will determine the defendant’s competency to stand trial and the other is criminal responsibility.”
A status conference, to review findings and other information, has been scheduled for January 9.
Channer, who has been arraigned on multiple charges, remains hospitalized and is under guard by two deputies located just outside of his room, 24 hours a day.
He was arraigned November 7 on charges of first-degree premeditated murder, carrying a concealed weapon without a permit, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, using a firearm to commit a felony and fleeing and eluding law enforcement.
Just a short distance away from the scene, Almont Supt. Kimberly VonHiltmayer said the district was not notified of the event until it was all over, sparking some concern from staff and parents.
VonHiltmayer said, “At no time were we in any danger. Communication is key with something like this and our School Resource Officer told us (later) that the suspect had fled the area, away from the school campus.”
However, Dryden and Lapeer schools, which are further away from the scene of the incident, were put in lockdown mode for a period of time.
VonHiltmayer said there was to be a meeting held late last week between multiple agencies to discuss the incident and how better communication could have been handled.
Prosecutors allege Channer used a .380 semi-automatic pistol to allegedly shoot Logan Welch around 8:20 a.m. November 5 before fleeing the scene.
Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to the incident including Almont, Imlay City and Dryden Twp. Crime scene tape blocked the entrance to Trims Unlimited and a church next door.
Almont Police Chief Daniel Willis said witnesses reported, “hearing one loud bang” although investigators have not officially said how many shots may have been fired. Welch died of his injuries as a result of the shooting. According to reports, Channer is a former employee at Trims Unlimited and had been let go, prior to the shooting. Welch is known to have been the plant manager.
While Almont police began their investigation, an Imlay City officer located the suspect driving west on I-69 shortly after the alleged shooting and radioed for back-up while following the vehicle.
Once the vehicle exited I-69 at Lake Pleasant Rd. the Imlay City police officer activated emergency lights and siren and a chase ensued.
MSP investigators at the scene of the suspect shooting on Sutton Rd. have not publicly said how many times Channer was shot by Lapeer County Sheriff’s Dept. deputies after a vehicle chase ended on Sutton Road between Wilder and Thornville roads in Metamora Township. Five patrol units sustained damage as a result of the chase.
According to court records, Channer is a habitual offender with four prior misdemeanor and four prior felony offenses on his record.
He was denied bond at arraignment.
The Michigan State Police are conducting the deputy-involved shooting incident, at the request of the Almont Police Dept.
