Murder suspect arraigned following death at Lee Villa

U.S. Army Soldier Brian James-Mabesa Gogue, 31, was arraigned on a five count felony warrant in Lenawee County District Court before Judge Laura Schaedler on Monday, Oct. 7. Gogue is a suspect in a murder and felonious assault incident that took place on Saturday, Oct. 5, in Lee Villa Estates, 2985 Gady Road, in Raisin Township.The Michigan State Police Monroe Post issued a press release stating Joel Matthew Krutsch, 20, from Manchester, was allegedly killed by the suspect by strangulation. Scott Anthony Fernandez, 18, also from Manchester, was injured when the suspect allegedly attempted to strangle him, and then stabbed him in the shoulder with a pocket knife. The release noted that Gogue was reported as being armed with a semi-automatic pistol during the alleged assault on Fernandez.Gogue was charged with the following: Homicide-Open Murder, which carries a life sentence; Assault with Intent to Murder, which carries up to a life sentence; two counts of Carrying a Dangerous Weapon with Unlawful Intent, which is a five year felony; and Felony Firearm, which carries two years in addition to any conviction sentence. He was remanded into the custody of the Lenawee County Sheriff’s Department and will be held without bond until further court proceedings.The Criminal Investigation Division (CID) of the U.S. Army has been contacted and will be conducting a joint investigation with the Michigan State Police. U.S. Army CID will be reviewing the suspect’s medical and service history, and conducting interviews with fellow soldiers to determine if more information can be obtained into his behavior prior to the murder and assault.Michigan State Police troopers from the Monroe Post had been dispatched to the Lee Villa address, Lot 63, on Saturday, Oct. 5 at approximately 8:45 a.m. and found a male subject lying unresponsive on the floor. An earlier MSP press release noted that residents of the home were attempting CPR when troopers arrived, and the officers noted obvious ligature marks on the victim’s neck. They also located a second victim with stab wounds to the shoulder. Tecumseh Fire Department and Lenawee Community Ambulance EMTs arrived and transported Krutsch to Herrick Hospital where he was pronounced dead, and Fernandez to Bixby Medical Center in Adrian where he was treated for lacerations and released. According to the release, witnesses at the scene were interviewed, as well as the suspect. Seven people plus the suspect were living in the home at the time. It was determined that the suspect had strangled the first victim during the early morning hours. The second victim was attacked and stabbed by the same suspect, after Fernandez attempted to render first aid to Krutsch.The troopers then took Gogue into custody and a warrant request was submitted to the Lenawee County Prosecutor’s office on Sunday.Gogue was currently on leave from the U.S. Army, and was visiting his estranged wife.The investigation is ongoing, and troopers are were assisted by the Michigan State Police Forensic Science laboratory as well as officers from the Tecumseh and Raisin Township Police Departments. A preliminary examination is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 21, at 1 p.m. in Judge James Sheridan’s courtroom in Lenawee County District Court.