Attorney Mitchell Ribitwer questions a witness during the trial for two men charged in connection with the murder of Daniel Hutchinson on his third day of testimony Thursday in Oakland County Circuit Court. (screenshot via livestream by Aileen Wingblad/MediaNews Group)
On the third day of testimony for two men charged with the June 1, 2022 murder of Oakland County businessman Daniel Hutchinson, among those called to the stand Thursday was a customer who spoke to Hutchinson and his wife, Marisa, moments before the fatal shooting outside their business on Greenfield Road in Oak Park.
A suspect in the case early on but subsequently cleared, Clarence Lewis said he went to the Hutchinsons’ Pay Beny pawn shop to look for a gift for his wife and other items when he came upon Marisa Hutchinson sitting in her vehicle, and struck up a brief conversation with her. Daniel Hutchinson soon exited the store and made his way to the vehicle, Lewis said.
“She was very friendly, warm…her husband was very friendly, too — very approachable,” he said.
Lewis testified that another vehicle pulled up and he headed toward his own car parked nearby when he heard multiple gunshots.
Fearing for his life, Lewis said he “hit the ground” and started crawling back to his car. “It was terrifying,” he said.
Lewis said he then saw a man riding past, on a bike, and Marisa Hutchinson could be heard “screaming and screaming…as loud as you can hear.”
Lewis said that as he drove from the area, he called 911.
According to the prosecution, the bicyclist is the suspected shooter, identified as Detroiter Roy Larry, who’s charged with first-degree murder for Hutchinson’s death, assault with intent to murder Marisa Hutchinson, conspiracy to commit murder and weapons crimes. Co-defendant Marco Bisbikis of Novi — the Hutchinsons’ attorney at the time — faces the same charges, and allegedly masterminded a murder-for-hire plan to take out the couple after drafting their will, from which he would benefit financially if they were dead.
Larry was arrested the day of the homicide. Charges against Bisbikis weren’t filed until months later.
Firearm never located
Lewis further testified that he drove through the shooting scene approximately 30 minutes later and saw a large amount of police and some television news crews. He said he stopped and was told Hutchinson had been killed, so he gave police his contact information about him in case they had questions for him. Investigators didn’t call him in until a few months later, he said.
Investigators had looked at Lewis as possibly being involved in the slaying but determined he wasn’t.
Law enforcement never found the firearm used to kill Hutchinson, despite an extensive search of the area. Another witness who testified Thursday, Robert Charlton, firearms examiner with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, evidence testing determined just one gun was used in the slaying. Fifteen cartridge casings were recovered and examined, as well as bullets and bullet portions.
As testified to Wednesday by Deputy Forensic Pathologist Bernardino Pacris, MD, Hutchinson’s autopsy showed he was hit by seven bullets, causing fatal damage to his heart. His lung and liver were also damaged by the bullets.
Along with the pawn shop, Hutchinson, of Pleasant Ridge, was the well-known owner of Hutch’s Jewelry on Greenfield Road, whose customers included famous rap musicians and other wealthy clients
If convicted of first-degree murder, Larry and Bisbikis will go to prison for life.
Testimony continues Friday. Oakland County Circuit Judge Nanci Grant is presiding over the trial.
Co-defendant in Hutchinson murder trial testifies against ‘Godbrother’ accused of planning the slaying
See more
Hutchinson murder trial: Defense attorney grills lead detective over discipline for meeting victim’s widow for drinks months after slaying
See more
Testimony begins in Daniel Hutchinson murder trial
See more
1-year-old child critically injured in pitbull attack at grandmother’s home in Wixom
See more
