People v. Burton

Defendant Johnnie Burton, Jr., is charged with second-degree murder, MCL 750.317; MSA 28.549, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, MCL 750.227b; MSA 28.424(2), and mutilation of a body, MCL 750.160; MSA 28.357. On March 10, 1988, defendant filed a motion in limine to suppress introduction of an unsigned, undated, handwritten statement by his wife, Jearleane Burton, purporting to be her will. The writing implicated defendant in the October 15, 1987, homicide of William O. Ross. On March 15, 1988, the prosecutor moved for an evidentiary ruling that the purported will was…