Ex-political candidate charged with murder in 2006 auto dealership robbery
A former political candidate in Livingston County who was arrested and released in 2006 after being suspected in a robbery and fatal beating at a Scio Township auto dealership was charged Wednesday with murder in the case.
Shane Noel Roscoe, 46, of Redford, who was the 2006 Democratic candidate for Putnam Township supervisor, was arraigned Wednesday afternoon at the Washtenaw County Jail on a charge of open murder.
He is being held without bond.
Roscoe
Roscoe is accused in death of 55-year-old William Sam Kenney of Lodi Township, who worked at Jim Bradley Pontiac-Buick-GMC on Jackson Road, where Roscoe was formerly employed.
Kenney was critically injured Aug. 18, 2006, after being beaten and run over during a robbery at the dealership. He died 27 days later.
Roscoe was arrested days after the robbery and jailed for two nights, then released by Washtenaw County sheriff's investigators, who obtained a sample of his DNA. He maintained his innocence. Roscoe lost the election that fall.
It's unclear what new evidence deputies have that prompted prosecutors to authorize the murder charge. Sheriff's department spokesman Derrick Jackson said he didn't have details.
During the arraignment, Roscoe said he is a divorced father of two and works at a commercial contracting company making $500 to $1,000 each week.
He told Magistrate Camille Horne that the investigation has been underway since 2006 and he's been working and living in the area.
"I'm just as anxious to get this over with as everyone else is," he said.
Washtenaw County sheriff's Det. Craig Raisanen told Horne that additional charges are likely, including breaking and entering. Raisanen said Roscoe is a flight risk and owns a house in Kentucky.
Roscoe has an extensive criminal record, including convictions for robbery, escape from custody, burglary and felonious assault, Raisanen said.
Horne ordered that Roscoe be held without bond and said she would appoint a public defender to represent him. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 20.
If convicted, Roscoe faces up to life in prison.
Lee Higgins covers crime and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at (734) 623-2527 and email at leehiggins@annarbor.com.
Comments
Ronald Robert Roscoe
Sat, Nov 26, 2011 : 9:31 p.m.
Has anyone heard if Shane Roscoe is in prison yet? if anyone has some updates please post them i would like to know
michelle
Thu, Feb 23, 2012 : 2:55 a.m.
are you sure no relation that name is like a family member
michelle
Thu, Feb 23, 2012 : 2:53 a.m.
no he is in the Washtenaw Co Jail awaiting Trial. Sure hope he gets a fair one.
Ronald Robert Roscoe
Sat, Nov 26, 2011 : 9:32 p.m.
we have the same last name NO RELATION tho!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Crystal Greer
Sat, Oct 29, 2011 : 12:29 a.m.
Are you kidding?? What happened to innocent until proven guilty??? I realize he had prior convictions. My GOD !! Give a rehabilitated person a chance.
Casey
Mon, Apr 9, 2012 : 2:47 p.m.
rehabilitated??? Really??? When?? While he was in jail in KY??? You've got to be kidding me!
Crystal Greer
Sat, Oct 29, 2011 : 2:30 a.m.
He was alreadycleared on DNA. evidence. Is his Ex wife destined for revenge, because he wants custody of his children???
Old Salt
Sat, Sep 10, 2011 : 4:07 p.m.
Ff he is making 500 to 1000 dollards a week he can afford to hire his own lawyer why should we pay his legal fees
michelle
Thu, Feb 23, 2012 : 2:48 a.m.
he is in jail not making any money, but remember this country stands on innocent until proven guilty, but it looks like he isnt getting that with the comments being made by the public where he is. Legally he should be asking for a change of venue. its sad that a man has died and the police and the state dont want the truth. Let him have a fair day in court.
halflight
Thu, Sep 8, 2011 : 3:29 p.m.
This looks to be an interesting case. Obviously, the prosecutor's office was reluctant to file murder charges because the evidence wasn't as strong as it wanted, and now feels that its case against Roscoe is as good as it will get.
Atticus F.
Thu, Sep 8, 2011 : 1:22 p.m.
What a suprise...An assumption of guilt be people who knew the victim. None of this makes any sense to me. Why would anybody rob an auto dealer? I thought most of their costomers pay by check, and there is very rarely any cash kept on the property.
Casey
Mon, Apr 9, 2012 : 2:42 p.m.
People rob dealerships for parts. The man who was murdered was not "disabled". He had a large family who loved him dearly and many coworkers who felt the same.
michelle
Thu, Feb 23, 2012 : 3:04 a.m.
there isnt any money at a dealer,unless someone paid for a car in cash just before they closed, and only the sales Mang and Finance Mang and Cashier would know that, not someone who no longer worked there.Besides the man who died was a man who was disabled and everyone who knew him would never hurt him especially Shane or Jonathon.when spoken about who died you could see sadness in their faces, yet they have to protect themselfs because of a lie. believe they feel for that man and wish they could express that.
Ricebrnr
Thu, Sep 8, 2011 : 11:51 a.m.
Shoulda ran in Detroit or DC...woulda won by a landslide...
Ricebrnr
Thu, Sep 8, 2011 : 4:53 p.m.
I am shocked, shocked that anyone would think such a racially charged thought in this enlightened age. Shocked I tell you...
smokeblwr
Thu, Sep 8, 2011 : 12:54 p.m.
Based on his mugshot I'm pretty sure Roscoe wouldn't get many votes in Detroit and DC.
Ricebrnr
Thu, Sep 8, 2011 : 12:34 p.m.
What other side are you referencing? I named the firat two places I could think of that knowingly did or would elect a convicted criminal to office.
clownfish
Thu, Sep 8, 2011 : 12:14 p.m.
Or Texas, or Alaska, Or is it that one only sees the bad on the "other side"?
chapmaja
Thu, Sep 8, 2011 : 4:15 a.m.
I live in Putnam Township and voted in that election. The reason Roscoe lost had nothing to do with it being a GOP area. It had to do with the fact that he was a convicted felon that was running for office. Nobody in this community wanted a felon running the township. That was why he lost. It had nothing to do with the political party. I know several Democrats that voted in that lection for the Republican nominee because they did not want Roscoe running anything.
Ellen
Thu, Sep 8, 2011 : 3:37 p.m.
I'm naive. I thought felons weren't allowed to run for office??
RJA
Thu, Sep 8, 2011 : 2:35 a.m.
After 5 years it is time! (he has been free way to long) Flight risk? No doubt in my mind!
pam
Thu, Sep 8, 2011 : 2:11 a.m.
i worked there when this happen and i believe he should get the book. sam never did anything to him and no human beinging should endure what he had to from this man and his helper. it was hard to feel safe in the building after this happen what was take for grantie concrening safety was taken from the remaining workers. horrifing to say the least.
The Black Stallion3
Thu, Sep 8, 2011 : 12:22 a.m.
Goodbye Roscoe.........enjoy your stay in prison.....you will have many nice friends there for sure.
townie54
Thu, Sep 8, 2011 : 2:04 a.m.
this guy is a menace to society.I work across the street from the now defunct Pontiac dealer .This was a very cold and brutal assualt and had all my co workers looking over their shoulder when we arrived or left when it was dark.
mojo
Thu, Sep 8, 2011 : 12:21 a.m.
Politics aside - "Roscoe has an extensive criminal record, including convictions for robbery, escape from custody, burglary and felonious assault" - time to go to jail. And for a long time.
Roadman
Wed, Sep 7, 2011 : 11:04 p.m.
He ran in a heavily GOP area and was beaten by a 2-1 margin by the Republican nominee.