A man who allegedly killed his wife in a Buena Vista Township, Michigan home then led police on a two-county chase has been charged with more than a dozen offenses, including murder.
Judge David D. Hoffman on Wednesday, April 13, arraigned 40-year-old Deandre R. Welch on charges for open murder, assault with intent to murder, carrying a dangerous weapon with unlawful intent, carrying a concealed weapon, third-degree fleeing and eluding police, felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, and six counts of third-offense felony firearm.
Open murder contains first- and second-degree murder, both of which are life offenses, though a conviction of first-degree murder mandates a sentence of life without the possibility of parole. A felony firearm conviction usually mandates two years in prison, though a third-offense one increases that to 10 years.
The charges have their origin in the killing of Welch’s 32-year-old wife, Margaret C. Welch.
Appearing at the arraignment, defense attorney David Roby said Deandre Welch has been employed as a truck driver for four years and has ties to the Saginaw area and Wayne County. He asked the judge to set a reasonable bond.
“Certainly, the charges suggest that he would be a harm to a particular person as opposed to society,” Roby said.
For the arraignment, Welch appeared via closed-circuit TV from the Saginaw County Jail. He sat with his back against a cinderblock wall, his arms folded and head cocked to his left.
Hoffman set bond at $750,000 cash-surety.
About 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 9, police responded to a shooting at 1756 Prospect St. in Buena Vista Township. They arrived to find Margaret Welch dead from at least one gunshot wound and a 22-year-old man with a gunshot wound to his leg.
The discovery was followed by a police chase into Genesee County. Along with Buena Vista Township officers, police from Bridgeport Township, Saginaw, Clio, Flint, Flint Township, Mount Morris Township, Vienna Township, the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Michigan State Police contributed to the manhunt.
The chase ended in Genesee County with Deandre Welch’s arrest. A K9 named Jager with the Mount Morris Police Department was involved in apprehending Deandre Welch. After his arrest, Welch was taken to a local hospital, in part to be treated for injuries from the dog.
Deandre Welch was moved from the hospital to the Saginaw County Jail on Monday afternoon.
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