Grosse Pointe Park Murder Suspect To Stand Trial

A 42-year-old Grosse Pointe Park man was bound over Thursday and will stand trial for allegedly murdering his next-door neighbor. 

Prosecutors called 10 witnesses to build their "circumstantial" case against Myron T. Williams before Grosse Pointe Park Municipal Court Judge Carl Jarboe. 

Testimony from the witnesses helped place Williams in the neighborhood the night of the murder of his next-door-neighbor Sabrina Gianino on May 15. 

Antonio Mitchell, who lived two blocks from Williams, testified that the murder suspect showed up between 10 p.m. and midnight on May 15 and sold a laptop for a $20 rock of cocaine from Mitchell. Williams left the house, and left a cellular phone and iPod at the house. Items which he allegedly stole from Gianino's home.

Later, Mitchell answered a call placed to the phone by a detective. He arranged a meeting, but backed out because he "didn't want to go up and get arrested."

He was later arrested, and assisted police in trying to locate Williams.

Other witnesses, including a prisoner who was in the Grosse Pointe Park lockup and a detective testified that Williams wanted his girlfriend to get his wallet which had an Abercrombie and Fitch gift card.

Investigators allege the gift card was among the items Williams stole, and determined it was used by Gianino prior to her death to purchase a shirt from the store. A search of her home located the shirt, according to testimony.

“It is pretty strong circumstantial evidence of his involvement in this murder,” said Jarboe.

Williams is charged with first degree murder, felony murder and unarmed robbery. 

Gianino was found dead May 16 in a Grosse Pointe Park home, and her death was ruled a homicide by strangulation following an autopsy.

“There is no question there was a murder,” said Ray Paige, who is representing Myron T. Williams, when arguing against the bind over. “But the element of who done it is woefully inadequate.”

He also stated that there was no testimony that showed when Williams came into possession of the items, or when the items were reported missing. 

“Even if he came into possession of the items on the 15th, it doesn’t equate to murder,” he said. “The inference is if he is in possession of contraband, that he must be the person that committed the murder.”