Bay County District Judge Mark E. Janer in December granted a motion filed by defense attorney Jeffrey M. Day to have Damon J. Matthews sent to the Center for Forensic Psychiatry in Ypsilanti. There, staff is to assess Matthews' competency and criminal responsibility.
Once the staff completes its evaluation, a judge is to review their findings and rule whether or not Matthews is fit to participate in future court proceedings.
Matthews, who stands 7 feet 4 inches tall, is charged with one count of armed robbery, which is a life offense. The early morning of Sunday, Nov. 29, Bay County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to the 7-Eleven at 3543 Old Kawkawlin Road for an armed robbery complaint. Bay County Central Dispatch advised the deputies the suspect was last seen fleeing on foot and had been wearing a black ski mask and an orange plaid sweatshirt.
A male clerk told deputies he was mopping the floors when the robber entered and brandished a knife, according to court records. The robber demanded cash, threatening to kill the clerk if he didn't comply, he told the deputies, according to court records.
The clerk gave the man about $35 in cash and numerous packs of Newport cigarettes, all while the assailant continuously threatened to kill him, court records show. The clerk said he believed the suspect to be Matthews, with whom he went to high school, court records show.
About two hours later, Matthews showed up at the Bay County Jail's intake door, along with his older sister, court records show.
"My brother is here to turn himself in because he robbed the 7-Eleven store," the sister told deputies, according to court records.
The sister told deputies she was at home when her brother arrived and offered her some cigarettes. When she asked how he acquired them, seeing as how he's unemployed, he told her he robbed the 7-Eleven with a gun and shot at someone, court records show.
She told her brother he had to turn himself in as everyone would know it was him due to his height, according to court records.
Deputies interviewed Damon Matthews as well. He told them he robbed the store and was driven there by a 33-year-old male friend, according to court records. Afterward, the friend drove Matthews to Bangor Downs, where he tossed his clothing and the knife in a Dumpster, he told deputies, according to court records.
Police later located the friend in a Bay City house and arrested him, along with two others who were present. The others were arrested on unrelated outstanding warrants, court records show.
The friend told deputies he drove Matthews to the 7-Eleven, but that he didn't know he planned to rob the business, court records show. He admitted to driving Matthews from the scene, but figured he just stole the cigarettes, court records show.
Matthews was free on bond at the time of the robbery, awaiting sentencing in Bay County Circuit Court on a conviction of larceny in a building. He pleaded guilty to that charge on Nov. 25, just four days before the 7-Eleven holdup, and was to be sentenced on that charge on Monday, Jan. 4, but the hearing was adjourned.
hi damon this is your friend joe i miss you damon love you bro .
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