SusanSamples

Heading up the Target 8 investigative team for 24 Hour News 8. Want a story investigated? DM me.

[SusanSamples @SusanSamples]

Breaking: Criminal charge filed in alleged sex assault of Portland girl who later died by suicide. Blake Kozan, 18, just arraigned on 1st degree criminal sexual conduct charge for allegedly raping 12 yr old girl who died by suicide weeks later. Court ordered no bond. @WOODTV

[SusanSamples @SusanSamples]

Bryant told deputies he’s an “ alcoholic who consumes a half gallon of alcohol daily,” court records say. Said Estella liked to “race” his truck and was running on driver’s side “up the middle of the roadway” when she suddenly “ran under the truck.” @WOODTV

[SusanSamples @SusanSamples]

Breaking: Man, 33, accused of hitting, killing Estella Johnson, 3, in Cedar Springs Friday charged with reckless driving causing death & 2nd degree child abuse. Bond: $500,000 cash/surety. Per judge, Daniel Richard Bryant has prior reckless driving conviction from 2021. @WOODTV

[SusanSamples @SusanSamples]

Victims’ families did not protest Martin’s release. He’ll will live with niece in PA. “He will try to live the rest of his life peacefully and read books,” said his attorney. “He’s a very remarkable man.” Martin read classics in prison like The Iliad” & The Odyssey. @WOODTV

[SusanSamples @SusanSamples]

Kent Co Prosecutor Chris Becker did not fight to keep Martin in prison for life w/o parole. Becker called Martin’s crimes “horrific,” but said “that’s not enough. (Michigan) courts were very clear on that.” Martin’s clean prison record major factor in his release. @WOODTV

[SusanSamples @SusanSamples]

Martin called his crimes - the murders of Gerald Gort, Jack McRoy in 1968 gas station robbery - “senseless, inexcusable.” He shot Gort and McRoy in the head. “I’m not like I was when I was young. I have more sense now than I’ve ever had,” Martin told Kent Co judge. @WOODTV

[SusanSamples @SusanSamples]

Martin shot, killed Jack McRoy, 16, and Gerald Gort, 53 on March 2, 1968, both clerks at Cavalier service station on Remembrance Rd. “I’m no longer a threat to anybody,” Martin told judge this a.m. “I’d like to have a chance to prove it.” @WOODTV

[SusanSamples @SusanSamples]

“Second chance at life”: 57 yrs after murdering two Walker gas station clerks, Charles Ronald Martin will go free. At 78, he’s oldest in Kent Co resentenced after Supreme Court outlawed mandatory life if offender 19, 20 at time of crime. @WOODTV

[SusanSamples @SusanSamples]

Blowing snow, slick roads lead to rollover on 68th Ave north of Allendale. No injuries. Stay home if you can! ⁦@WOODTV⁩

[SusanSamples @SusanSamples]

Cedar Springs mom admitted killing her 2-yr-old daughter, according to court records. Iris Whitehead, 27, charged with felony murder and 1st degree child abuse in the September 2025 suffocation death of Ryleigh Whitehead. @WOODTV

[SusanSamples @SusanSamples]

To those who never came home and those who did, ‘thank you.’ To Billy Haynes, Gerald Keen, Lynette Keen and Madeline Odle, thank you for letting me share your story. It was an honor.

https://t.co/nIFjGOLwtv

[SusanSamples @SusanSamples]

Rus’s attorney said Rus “knows he missed the mark in parenting” but has done “everything he can” to improve, (parenting classes etc.) Quist sentenced Rus in middle of range, said he’s done some good things, but prior record, nature of crime called for 28 months in prison.

[SusanSamples @SusanSamples]

Cedar Springs dad who locked 7 yr old son in wood box will serve at least 28 months in prison for felony child abuse. Judge George “Jay” Quist called Michael Rus’s crime “egregious,” & cited his prior record, which included 2018 misdemeanor child abuse conviction. @WOODTV

[SusanSamples @SusanSamples]

Jaime Westenbarger, fmr financial planner, sentenced to 2.5 years in prison for stealing $260,000 from clients of Ada-based Forest Hills Financial. Westenbarger told judge he’s “horribly embarrassed” and what he did was “completely awful.” @WOODTV

[SusanSamples @SusanSamples]

No charges for man, 43, who housed missing teen Penelope Wise. Kent Co Sheriff’s Office says prosecutor’s office did not authorize charges. Wise, 17, left her Cedar Springs home 5/31. KCSO says Wise met stranger in downtown Rockford, stayed with him, became engaged. @WOODTV

[SusanSamples @SusanSamples]

6 weeks. No word. #bringpennyhome 🙏

https://t.co/nULyXM7psO

[SusanSamples @SusanSamples]

Nessel: “Detective Sergeant Keely’s actions that day were legally, grossly negligent and created a very high risk of death or great bodily harm, which could have otherwise been prevented.” @WOODTV

[SusanSamples @SusanSamples]

Breaking: MI AG Dana Nessel has charged the MI State Police Sgt who hit, killed Samuel Sterling, 25, as Sterling ran from police on April 17. Brian Keely, 50, is charged w/ 1 count of second-degree murder, and 1 count of involuntary manslaughter, said Nessel’s office. @WOODTV

[SusanSamples @SusanSamples]

Medical examiner rules Samuel Sterling’s manner of death “accident” and cause “multiple blunt force injuries.” Sterling was on foot, running from state police, when unmarked cruiser hit him. https://t.co/huJygp71pW

[SusanSamples @SusanSamples]

Police sources confirm to Target 8 that the suspect, 18, has a juvenile record. Court records show prior arrests for assault/resist police, assault w/ dangerous weapon, carrying concealed weapon. The teen allegedly fired on GRPD after fleeing traffic stop Sat night @WOODTV