Wife arrested at the scene
HOMESTEAD TOWNSHIP -- Benzie County deputies were alerted to a home on Derby Lane in Homestead Township just after 1 a.m. Monday. Homeowner, Joni Holbrook told central dispatchers that she shot her husband, Melvin Holbrook, a sergeant at the Michigan State Police Traverse City Post.
"What did she say to 911 dispatch?" asks 7&4 News.
"They were advised there had been an assault, not in those specific words but needed to get deputies there and three deputies responded immediately," says Benzie County Sheriff, Rory Heckman.
Deputies say when they arrived they found that Sergeant Holbrook had been shot dead in his bed. His wife again admitted to shooting her husband.
"She was calm and advised what had occurred...We don't know at this time what lead up to the incident. That is still being investigated by deputies," says Sheriff Heckman.
Joni Holbrook was then arrested and taken into custody. She was arraigned later Monday morning on an open charge of murder without bond.
"She's been charged with a crime. The next thing, she'll have an attorney appointed to her or retained and the next thing will be a prelim to determine the obvious questions of whether there was probable cause to believe she committed this crime," says Sheriff Heckman.
Meanwhile, Sheriff Heckman says they're not releasing any information on a possible motive for the crime.
"We've recovered some evidence. The crime lab from Graying state police post came down and evidence was collected and it will be examined by forensic scientists," says Sheriff Heckman.
Sergeant Holbrook's body was taken to Spectrum Healthcare in Grand Rapids for an autopsy. Pending those results, Sheriff Heckman says they will be able to determine the exact cause of death.
