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BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — A scheduled preliminary exam in the 48th District Court in Bloomfield Township for Jordan Worrall, the man who allegedly threatened to kill a Novi judge, was adjourned Aug. 3 to allow time for a mental health evaluation and a possible consolidation of cases with charges in the 52-1 District Court.
“In speaking with his client, counsel (Jalal Dallo) has indicated that a criminal responsibility and competency evaluation (would) be appropriate in this matter. I have no objection, as it does seem to heavily involve mental health,” Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Rosston Ramsey, of the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office, said in court.
According to police reports from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were initially called to Worrall’s home to conduct a welfare check July 5, after his friend read some disturbing messages on Worrall’s Facebook page. Police obtained screenshots of the messages, in which Worrall allegedly threatened to kill Judge Travis Reeds, of the 52-1 District Court in Novi, his court-appointed attorney from Gracey Law Firm in Keego Harbor, as well as himself. In the Facebook posts, Worrall also allegedly threatened to blow up a federal building.
“Say goodby to your loved ones. Make sure you have the sufficient security personnel ready so the grays can make them vanish,” Worrall allegedly said in his post alongside a picture of Reeds, according to the police reports.
The next post read, “ETA Gracey Law Firm.”
Worrall had been scheduled to appear for a review hearing that morning regarding a third-degree fleeing and eluding charge against him from April 22. Worrall didn’t show up for court that day, and after hearing of the Facebook posts, Reeds issued a bench warrant for Worrall with a $1 million cash or surety bond. Reeds recused himself from the case July 12 due to the potential for him to be a witness after the Facebook posts. The other nine judges in the 52nd District Court also recused themselves from the case.
On July 6, according to the police reports, Worrall allegedly responded to a text message asking if he was dead by saying “will be soon.”
The Sheriff’s Office said that Worrall then led law enforcement officers on a 48-hour manhunt through multiple jurisdictions and crossing state lines into Ohio at one point. During one of the high-speed chases, Worrall allegedly hit a police vehicle, causing damage to the right front fender, according to the reports.
Worrall was later apprehended by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Apprehension Team on Swann Farm Lane, approximately 100 feet west of Pleasant View Road, which is at the border of Oakland and Livingston counties, July 7. He was sitting in the driver’s seat of his truck facing eastbound. Officers surrounded the vehicle, and Worrall tried to flee by hitting the gas pedal, according to the police reports. However, his tires sank deeper into the dirt road, preventing him from getting traction, according to the reports.
After Worrall allegedly didn’t respond to verbal commands to surrender himself to law enforcement, a Sheriff’s Office detective and a sergeant broke Worrall’s driver’s side window. At that point, Worrall punched the detective in the face, breaking his facial bones, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Worrall then attempted to reach for a hatchet, according to the police report, and he was then pulled out of the vehicle by the sergeant. Worrall allegedly continued to resist by locking his arm to prevent himself from being cuffed, but he was ultimately arrested.
Officers from the Fugitive Apprehension Team then called 911, as they were in Livingston County. EMS treated the detective at the scene and took Worrall to the hospital to be evaluated for self-inflicted injuries, according to the reports.
The ordeal resulted in four additional charges against Worrall. The charges of fourth-degree fleeing and eluding, and assault on a police officer were issued out of the 52-1 District Court in Novi, and the charges of threat of terrorism and use of a computer to commit a crime were issued out of the 48th District Court as a result of varying jurisdiction.
Judge Marc Barron, of the 48th District Court, asked the attorneys on both sides of the case if they had considered having the two cases consolidated to one jurisdiction.
“I think that’s a brilliant idea,” said Dallo.
Barron asked Worrall if he understood what Dallo, Ramsey and himself were talking about.
“Yes. They want to adjourn it,” said Worrall
“Yes, potentially get the other matter in the same building,” said Barron.
“Because they pertain to each other, potentially,” said Worrall.
“They may pertain to each other, but if you are going to have an exam or a competency hearing, I think it might save some time, some judicial resources, your time, everybody’s time, and just benefit you, the people and everybody else involved,” Barron said to Worrall.
Dallo said he would have a conversation with the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission about consolidating the cases. According to the MIDC website, it “works to ensure the state’s public defense system is fair, cost-effective and constitutional while simultaneously protecting public safety and accountability.” Barron suggested they talk to the State Court Administrative Office about it as well.
Ramsey asked Barron if he would be willing to take on the other case.
“I would. Sure,” said Barron.
As of Aug. 8, the case in 48th District Court is disposed of, according to a MiCOURT case search. However, the case originally in front of Reeds and now being handled by Judge Robert Bondy, of the 47th District Court in Farmington Hills, remains open. Bondy was appointed to act as a judge of the 52nd District by the State Court Administrative Office following the recusal of the 10 judges in the district. However, only two of the four charges were listed in that case as of Aug. 8. There was no further court date listed.
