ADRIAN – An Ohio man charged with murder in the death of a Jasper man who died from injuries sustained in an attack has had his next hearing rescheduled for late August.
An open murder charge was approved May 28 against Kevin Michael Turski, 37, of Metamora, Ohio, for the death of Jerry Fike, 81, of Jasper, according to online Lenawee County District Court records. On May 21, Turski was referred for a forensic psychological examination to determine whether he was fit to stand trial.
With an open murder charge, a jury can decide the level of murder if the case goes to trial.
On Thursday, a probable cause conference was rescheduled for Aug. 29 before District Judge Todd A. Morgan. These types of delays are common in cases where a suspect has been referred for a psychological evaluation to give the Michigan Center for Forensic Psychiatry time to administer the exam and write a report for the court. If the report is completed before the next scheduled hearing date, the court will generally schedule a competency hearing for an earlier date.
A probable cause conference, also called a pretrial hearing, is a hearing in a felony case in which the defense tells the court whether it intends to proceed with a preliminary examination in district court or whether it will forego the examination and the judge informs the case will be transferred to the court for further proceedings.
Turski was originally charged with assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder and assault after Fike was attacked around 8 a.m. on May 13 at his home in the 4000 block of Yankee Road, according to a news release from the Lenawee Sheriff’s Office County . Officers responding along with Madison Township Fire Department personnel found family members administering first aid to Fike outside his home. He didn’t react, but breathed. Madison Township officers and medical personnel treated Fike’s serious head injuries. He was then transported by Madison Township ambulance to a Toledo area hospital in serious condition and with life-threatening injuries. Fike died in hospital on May 19.
Subscribe now: For the latest local developments, breaking news and sports content for high schools and colleges.
Fike’s wife, who called 911, was able to give dispatchers the name and description of a possible suspect, the sheriff’s office said. Officers, assisted by a Michigan State Police trooper, were able to locate Turski as he walked on the road near the Fikes’ residence. Turski was detained and later arrested and charged with the two assaults. He was booked into the Lenawee County Jail.
The Fike family knew Turski, but he was not welcome at the home, the sheriff’s office said.
— Contact reporter David Panian at dpanian@lenconnect.com or follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @lenaweepanian.
This article originally appeared in The Daily Telegram: Jasper murder case hearing has been rescheduled
