FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. (WXYZ) — A 23-year-old man was arraigned Thursday in the May murder of a 65-year-old man at Woodland Hills Park in Farmington Hills.
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Gabriel Antonio Bercea of Farmington Hills is facing a second-degree murder charge in the case. A not guilty plea was entered on his behalf, and the judge denied bond.
Watch the arraignment in the video player below:
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Farmington Hills police announced Thursday that they had arrested Bercea on June 8 in connection with the case.
On May 3, the victim's body was found in the park. Police have identified the victim as 65-year-old Richard Allen Harris, also of Farmington Hills.
"I again extend our sympathies to the family of Mr. Harris on their loss, and I hope this announcement today brings them some degree of closure," said Farmington Hills Police Chief John Piggott. "Had it not been for the community's assistance, this crime may not have been solved."
Police had released a sketch of a person of interest in the case in late May and said some witnesses observed the person of interest in the Woodland Hills Park on May 3, prior to Harris' arrival, and others placed him in proximity to the victim.
Watch the full press conference from Farmington Hills PD in the video player below:
The prosecutor and officials said Thursday that DNA matching the suspect was found on Harris. According to officials, the preliminary investigation indicates that Harris and Bercea did not know each other prior to the incident.
Police say Harris died from blunt force trauma and strangulation.
"It appears that at the time it looks like the blunt force trauma was caused probably by a log that had been cut down through routine trimming through the parks. It looked like that was probably the weapon that had been utilized in the attack," said Chief Piggott.
Farmington Hills police say they are still investigating a motive in the case.
The judge set the probable cause conference for Bercea for June 24 at 1:30 p.m.
