Crime & Safety

Neighbor Charged in Grosse Pointe Park "Senseless" Strangulation

A 42-year-old Grosse Pointe Park man was arraigned Monday on murder charges for the strangulation death of Sabrina Gianino nearly two months ago.

A 42-year-old Grosse Pointe Park man was arraigned Monday in Grosse Pointe Park Municipal Court on charges that he killed his next-door neighbor, Sabrina Gianino.

Myron T. Williams was charged with first degree murder, felony murder and unarmed robbery for allegedly killing the 35-year-old woman on May 15.

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

"This was a senseless crime," said Grosse Pointe Park Police Chief Dave Hiller, who declined to speak about specifics about the case, but did state that immediately after responding to the home on Wayburn, detectives started developing possible leads.

"We are very comfortable with this subject," said Hiller, of the arrest of Williams. "We live in a safe community. This is a crime that is unique, rare and we have the person responsible in custody."

Judge Russell Ethridge ordered Williams to be held without bond pending his preliminary exam at 9 a.m. July 29 in Grosse Pointe Park Municipal Court. 

Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor Bob Stevens asked the judge to hold Williams without bond. When asked if he wanted to say anything about his bond conditions, Williams responded, "I don’t care if you give me a bond. I’m not interested in going nowhere. I already know the outcome."

Williams, who is a truck driver, has an extensive criminal background includes a drug offense, obstruction of police officer and unauthorized entry of a building. He asked the judge if the statute of limitations had expired for those charges, and Ethridge responded that is an issue to discuss with his court-appointed lawyer.

Williams was originally charged in May with possession with intent to deliver marijuana, and delivery of marijuana. Those charges were dropped last week by prosecutors.

If convicted, Williams could face life in prison.

Family members of Gianino were present in court, but declined to comment.

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