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April 11, 2008
Posted: 11:14 AM ET

DETROIT, Michigan — I want to take you inside the courtroom of State of Michigan v Jean Pierre Orlewicz, the so-called thrill-kill murder trial. The courtroom is not that big and at various times families of the defendant, former co-defendant and victim have all been there together, making for a full house.

Alex Letkemann, the former co-defendant of Orlewicz, took the stand this week as the prosecution’s star witness. According to Letkemann he was with Orlewicz every step of the way as the defendant stabbed Daniel Sorenson to death and beheaded him.

During his testimony, Letkemann’s family was in the back row of the courtroom as well as teen friends of the witness. They all sat close together and I saw Letkemann’s mother softly smile at him during moments when the jury wasn’t present and when testimony was not being taken. Watch the testimony

Orlewicz’s parents are also there and they too have their teen supporters, who appear to be friends of the defendant himself. They also sit huddled together in court.

And finally members of Daniel Sorensen’s family steadfastly sit day after day looking for justice. Friends of Daniel Sorensen sit with his parents but say many cannot be there because they have been subpoenaed as witnesses. While Letkemann was describing the slaying of their son and friend, their emotions were almost overwhelming.

I also see the families huddling into individual prayer circles outside of the courtroom at the beginning and end of the day. Their faith appears to be helping to get them through what must be one of the toughest times of their lives.

The jury is composed now of 9 men and 4 women. One juror has been removed for cause because of a workplace association with the defendant’s family. Although two female jurors became visibly distraught during Letterman’s gruesome testimony, for the most part, jurors focus with intensity, writing notes from time to time.

Jean Casarez, In Session correspondent

Filed under: Beheading Trial • Jean Casarez • Trials


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Michael   April 11th, 2008 12:15 pm ET

The beheading of the victim after his death doesn’t necessarily imply premeditation, and in my opinion is unrelated to the charge of first-degree murder in this case. The spreading of tarps on the floor prior to the event, however, gives the distinct impression that the defendant anticipated the events that transpired.

JF   April 11th, 2008 1:15 pm ET

If Orlewicz’s defense were to work and it is found to be self defense, what happens to Letkeman and his deal? Afterall, if it is found not to be murder for Orlewicz, wouldn’t Letkeman only be guilty of witnessing self defense as opposed to the current charges of being involved in a murder?

observer   April 11th, 2008 3:03 pm ET

I sat in on this trial yesterday and watched the testimony of the friends in the A.M. and the experts in the afternoon. All these kids seem very unaffected by the incident and it looks as if this whole “group” of friends were pretty strange. It’s amazing how the parents of Sorenson and Orlewicz sit on the same bench no more than 3-4 feet apart.

dmd   April 11th, 2008 10:48 pm ET

Good Question JF - very good point you make. I happened to catch only the Direct Questioning of Letkeman, WOW! is all I can say, I could not believe how calm and disassociated and unremorseful this kid was. I litterally had nightmares that evening and have been walking around in a “lost” kind of way since I heard the details of how this was planned and transpired.

Then, to hear the commentators and special guest blame this on video games - give me a break!!!! What about the parents, what about the fact that parents and society will take any excuse they can to always find someone else, or something else to blame.

If i heard correctly and have the timing of this correct, weren’t these boys attending school - what were they doing out on week nights, drinking, smoking and partying with their friends and girlfriends - HELLO where are their parents????

It is so very sad that adults of today, are more worried about material things and how much money they can make, house big of a house they can buy, etc. instead of just being content to live a modest life and instead be GOOD and INVOLVED parents -

My son is 13 and yes by law he old enough to stay home alone, but this is not the time that you leave adolecents home along, and expect them to not get into trouble - this is the most important time to be present in their lives - during these pre-teen and early teen years - don’t give them a chance to wonder off and find troubleing things to get into - we only have a small window of time to be a good parent, to set the right example and to instill value, trust and honesty in a child’s life -
we bring them into the world, they love us uncondtionally. Geez - why can’t we raise them to be wholesome young adults? dmd

Pat   April 12th, 2008 11:36 am ET

I seem to remember in the back and forth with
the judge - defense attorney, over “perjury charge” written into the plea bargain. The judge has total control over the acceptance of the plea deal. And something about Letkeman could back out until the time the judge makes her ruling, to accept deny, the Plea Bargain.

Robert R.   April 14th, 2008 1:30 pm ET

In a way, it’s a good thing JP Orlewicz’s grandfather passed away. I can’t imagine how much he would suffer to have to listen and watch what is going on in court.

chris wolf   April 14th, 2008 5:37 pm ET

Last Child.

wrp   April 15th, 2008 6:51 pm ET

Please! I watched the father during his testimony and I truly believe he has no clue what his child is capable of. And yes, I think it is a total shock to him. I feel sorry for him. The mother on the other hand, seems to be totally into chewing her gum and does not appear to have any emotions one way or another. As far as the kid (JP) I am totally at a loss. He has to be mentally defective.

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Sidebar takes you behind the scenes of the day's legal headlines with breaking news and in-depth analysis from In Session's anchors and correspondents.

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Ashleigh Banfield
Co-anchor of the daily trial program Banfield and Ford: Courtside
Ashleigh Banfield
Jack Ford
A former prosecutor and co-anchor of the daily trial program Banfield & Ford: Courtside
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Anchor of the daily trial program Lisa Bloom: Open Court
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Jami Floyd
Former defense attorney and anchor of her own daily program Jami Floyd: Best Defense
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Fred Graham
Senior Editor Fred Graham covers legal news in Washington, D.C.
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Jean Casarez
Attorney Jean Casarez covers trials around the country
Jean Casarez
Beth Karas
Former prosecutor Beth Karas covers trials around the country
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