When homicide suspect Gregory Walker was convicted in a 2013 stolen car case, he was supposed to stay out of trouble and report to his probation officer on a regular basis. But investigators say Walker failed at both.
Now, the 45-year-old Walker is accused, but not yet charged, in the kidnapping and killing of 13-year-old Deontae Mitchell.
In court Wednesday, Walker admitted that back in March, 2015, he stopped reporting to his probation officer despite arrangements being made that allowed him to check in by phone to accommodate health issues he described as lung-related.
Walker told the judge that he did not have a good reason for failing to report for well over a year.
Walker also admitting to failing to pay old fines and leaving the state of Michigan last week without permission, a condition of his probation.
Walker did not say anything about why he traveled to Ohio last week. Detroit Police maintain that they believe Walker left because he had just killed Mitchell, and he and his girlfriend were on the run.
Sources believe the teen was strangled.
What Walker did not admit to Wednesday was punching a woman two months ago for which another bench warrant had been issued. Investigators say he also stole the woman's purse.
On Wednesday, Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Cameron ordered that Walker be held without bond since he is expected to face a lengthy prison sentence for violating probation and being a four-time habitual offender.
Judge Cameron will sentence Walker on July 8.
Chris Kessel, Walker's defense attorney, said he's been told by prosecutors to expect his client to face charges in Deontae Mitchell's case later this week.
Walker's girlfriend, 43-year-old Lillian Roberts, was also in court Wednesday on a probation violation stemming from a conviction of uttering and publishing.
Court records show Roberts failed to report to her probation officer in 2014, and a warrant for her arrest was issued on October, 27, 2014.
Roberts remains behind bars where her 24-year-old daughter, Mariah Thomas, sits awaiting trial on two counts of murder for a December arson that killed two people.
Walker's son, 22-year-old Gregory Walker, is currently serving time in prison for attempted murder.
