Ian Zinderman testifies in court on May 23. (CREDIT: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
Tucker Cipriano in court on May 23. (CREDIT: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. (WJBK) -
The family of Robert and Rose Cipriano filed into court Wednesday to confront their own relative, Tucker Cipriano, and his friend, Mitchell Young, accused of beating Tucker's father to death with a baseball bat and nearly killing his mother and brother, Sal.
"They decided on going to the Cipriano house and killing the family," Ian Zinderman, one of Tucker's friends, said on the stand.
Zinderman testified he was with Tucker and Mitchell, also known as Roderick, the night of April 15. He claims the men wanted money and valuables to flee to Mexico. Zinderman admitted he helped Tucker break into his parents garage twice that evening to get money to buy the drug K2 or Spice, and he witnessed them plotting to do much worse.
"It was decided that Tucker was going to go after his two brothers and Roderick was going to go after the mom and the dad."
Inside the Cipriano home that night were the parents, Robert and Rose, the twin brothers, Tanner and Sal, and their sister, eight-year-old Isabella.
"Roderick was supposed to go for the sister from what I understand."
"Why did Tucker not want to do that?" Zinderman was asked.
"Tucker loves his sister."
"Did he mention that?"
"Yes."
Zinderman broke down on the stand and said Tucker and Mitchell had been plotting this for weeks and wanted him to be the getaway driver and take a cut of the money. He said he told them no.
"I said ... they could do it on their own accord."
Zinderman also testified they considered attacking a neighboring family before deciding the Ciprianos had more money and valuables.
Zinderman, who is homeless, spent the night at a friend's home in Keego Harbor and saw Tucker when he returned to that home from allegedly attacking his parents.
"He was wearing a gray stripped V-neck shirt ... There was blood on it. All he said was that he messed up."
However, defense attorneys questioned Zinderman's story. He cut a deal with prosecutors and has immunity when he, too, could be facing very serious charges.
"Is that one of the reasons you're testifying here today because you can get off the hook now?" he was asked.
"I'm testifying because it's the right thing to do."
One of the first responders also testified on Wednesday. The preliminary exam will resume on June 8.
Monday, June 17 2013 9:27 PM EDT2013-06-18 01:27:07 GMT
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
Friday, June 14 2013 5:57 PM EDT2013-06-14 21:57:29 GMT
Jurors have gone home without a verdict on the first day of deliberations in the trial of a Detroit police officer charged in the shooting death of a 7-year-old girl.
Jurors have gone home without a verdict on the first day of deliberations in the trial of a Detroit police officer charged in the shooting death of a 7-year-old girl.
Thursday, June 13 2013 5:44 PM EDT2013-06-13 21:44:55 GMT
It was a day of dramatic testimony in the manslaughter trial of the Detroit cop charged with killing seven-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones as Officer Joseph Weekley took the stand in his own defense.
It was a day of dramatic testimony in the manslaughter trial of the Detroit cop charged with killing seven-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones as Officer Joseph Weekley took the stand in his own defense.
Monday, June 10 2013 7:55 PM EDT2013-06-10 23:55:49 GMT
Testimony got emotional on Monday as the jury heard from Aiyana Jones' grandmother, but the defense questioned whether she has told two different accounts of what happened.
Testimony got emotional on Monday as the jury heard from Aiyana Jones' grandmother, but the defense questioned whether she has told two different accounts of what happened.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:21 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:21:00 GMT
Dequindre-Emery Playlot had become grossly overgrown. George Bearid said enough is enough and began mowing on Sunday. Now several neighbors have joined the effort to clean up the park.
Dequindre-Emery Playlot had become grossly overgrown. George Bearid said enough is enough and began mowing on Sunday. Now several neighbors have joined the effort to clean up the park.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:03 PM EDT2013-06-20 00:03:28 GMT
"I don't blame the clerk," Mike Duggan said as he ended his mayoral bid. Two courts ruled he cannot be on the ballot because he had not lived in Detroit for a year when he filed.
"I don't blame the clerk," Mike Duggan said as he ended his mayoral bid. Two courts ruled he cannot be on the ballot because he had not lived in Detroit for a year when he filed.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:00 PM EDT2013-06-20 00:00:10 GMT
The Detroit Red Wings and city officials on Wednesday announced a $650 million plan for a new arena development for the NHL team in Detroit's downtown entertainment and sports district.
The Detroit Red Wings and city officials on Wednesday announced a $650 million plan for a new arena development for the NHL team in Detroit's downtown entertainment and sports district.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:41 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:41:47 GMT
FBI agents grabbed shovels and combed through dirt and mud in the search for Jimmy Hoffa's remains or clues to the disappearance of the former Teamsters boss. Once again, the search was futile.
For at least the third time in a decade, FBI agents grabbed shovels and combed through dirt and mud in the search for Jimmy Hoffa's remains or clues to the disappearance of the former Teamsters boss. Once again, the search was futile.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 4:32 PM EDT2013-06-19 20:32:27 GMT
Lt. Gov. Brian Calley has signed a bill giving local governments in Michigan power to restrict the use of fireworks on the day before, during and after a national holiday.
Lt. Gov. Brian Calley has signed a bill giving local governments in Michigan power to restrict the use of fireworks on the day before, during and after a national holiday.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 4:24 PM EDT2013-06-19 20:24:16 GMT
Kolcraft is recalling more than 96,000 Jeep Liberty strollers after at least 18 people were injured by tire blowouts, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said Wednesday.
Kolcraft is recalling more than 96,000 Jeep Liberty strollers after at least 18 people were injured by tire blowouts, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said Wednesday.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:40 AM EDT2013-06-19 15:40:48 GMT
Nearly a hundred years ago, two girls from Detroit put a message in a bottle and threw it into the waters of the St. Clair River. Now that message is back on dry land after being found by a diver in 30 feet of water.
Nearly a hundred years ago, two girls from Detroit put a message in a bottle and threw it into the waters of the St. Clair River. Now that message is back on dry land after being found by a diver in 30 feet of water.
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Ian Zinderman testifies in court on May 23. (CREDIT: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
Tucker Cipriano in court on May 23. (CREDIT: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
