DEARBORN HEIGHTS, Mich. (WXYZ) — Things took a strange turn inside a Dearborn courtroom when a Dearborn Heights councilman went before a judge.
Ray Muscat went before a 19th District judge on Friday morning facing a charge of home invasion.
The charges stem from a December incident, back in December Muscat talked with 7 Action News explaining his neighbor had been vandalizing his property for a lengthy period of time. A confrontation left Muscat with a bloody face, but now he’s facing charges.
Previously Muscat admitted to putting his foot in the door when he went to the home of Nicholas Diedo to confront him, and ask him to come outside. Prosecutors say that he forced his entire body into the home.
“He did not break the law,” said attorney Azzam Elder. “As a matter of fact, as the evidence unfolds you’ll realize you wish you had neighbors like Muscat.”
Diedo is facing a trespassing charge that could bring up to 30 days in court, but Muscat could face up to 5 years in prison if convicted.
Muscat is no longer speaking about the incident, but his attorney said the situation is being brought about due to politics.
There was even a peculiar moment in court where a lawyer told the judge overseeing the arraignment that an investigator in the case was spotted taking pictures of Muscat’s family and friend. Afterwards, the attorney hinted at a sort of intimidation and linked it back to the politics of the situation.
The investigator, contacted by 7 Action News, said he wasn’t photographing anyone — he told the judge the same thing in the courtroom.
Muscat is due back in court on May 3rd. He was released from custody after paying 10-percent of a $1,000 bond.
