Court Briefs: Senior Embezzlement Suspect Pleads Guility; Sentencing in Domesitc Assault Case

Sentencing in domestic assault case

A 38-year-old St. Clair Shores man who pleaded no contestwas sentenced Wednesday in Macomb Circuit Court. Franklin Kakos, who pleaded no contest to a charge of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, was sentenced to two-year probation by Judge James Biernat and is not to have any violent behavior during this period.

According to police reports, struck his wife with a nearly 3-foot-long floor fan across the back. The May 26 attack is alleged to have occurred in the bedroom of their Arrowhead Road home. 

His defense attorney stated that he is in a 26-week counseling program, and his wife and children are also in counseling.

"They are working things out and proceeding without any future problems," said defense attorney Earl Adamaszek. 

Biernat, noting his Kakos previous convictions, told him prior to sentencing, "I don't want to see you back in here with respect to assault behavior."

He also urged Kakos to continue counseling with his wife and children.

In a separate case in , Kakos pleaded no contest to a charge of harboring a vicious dog. The case stemmed from an incident on May 16 when his pit bulls got loose and running in the area of Share and Harper, accroding to police reports. The pit bulls chased other dogs and children on skateboards before ultimately attacking a mother, her children and their small Yorkie as they were getting into a van in the 22400 block of Dorion. 

Neighbors and passer-bys used baseball bats and recycling bins to beat back the dogs until animal control and police officers were able to catch the dogs. The Yorkie died, and the pit bulls were eventually destroyed.

Kakos has to pay $4,575 in fines and restitution.

Suspect in embezzlement case pleads guilty

Fredine Walker has pleaded guilty to two counts of adult in Macomb Circuit Court. Walker, 52, and co-defendant Kellie Todd, are caretakers accused of stealing more than a combined total of $80,000 from William Abke, a 73-year-old wheelchair-bound resident who is suffering from dementia. They are alleged to have purchased thousands of items, including groceries and furniture, by using his credit cards. Todd will have a pretrial exam Feb. 2 in Macomb Circuit Court. Walker will be sentenced March 7 by Judge Edward Servitto.