New details revealed in the kidnapping and murder of 13-year-old Deontae Mitchell during the preliminary examination of the three people charged in the case.
The hearing is for Judge Shannon Holmes to decide if there's enough evidence to send Gregory Walker, his girlfriend, Lillian Roberts and, her son, Ernest Coleman to trial.
One of the witnesses taking the stand Thursday included Anthony Young, one of Walker's cousins.
Young testified that he saw Mitchell in the black Impala with Walker, Coleman and Roberts. And Young said the boy's hands had been tied up.
Investigators say Walker was upset that Mitchell and his 13-year-old cousin picked up about $70 dollars that he dropped outside of a liquor store.
One witness testified that they saw Walker with a gun, threatening to shoot the child if someone didn't tell him where his cousin went with the rest of his money.
Mitchell's cousin testified that they split the money and went their separate ways.
After seeing Mitchell tied up, Young said he asked his cousin how much money the boy owed him. Walker told him they took $70 from him. Young pulled some money out of his sock, gave it to Walker, and then told him to let the boy go.
When Young saw Walker and his girlfriend later that day, the couple claimed Mitchell jumped out of their car and took off running.
Investigators say Walker actually choked Mitchell to death.
His body was found a couple days later in a field on Detroit's east side.
The preliminary hearing was adjourned until July 12.
Walker, Roberts and Coleman are each charged with kidnapping, torture and felony murder--and face life behind bars if convicted.
Walker, 45, the man accused of choking the 13-year-old to death is also charged with first degree premeditated murder.
