Judicial flare-up surprises as suspects face 19 felony charges in Northfield Township double homicide

WASHTENAW COUNTY, Michigan. – Explosive blasts set the tone as Shuvonne Vinson, 42, faced 19 felony charges Friday in connection with a devastating crime that shook Northfield Township earlier this week.

Vinson is charged in connection with the murders of Jennifer Bernhard, 42, and Stevie Smith, 74, along with the attempted murder of Jeffrey Bernhard, 52, and the kidnapping of two young children.

“Fuck them. Dead mother F…” Vinson shouted during his arraignment. “They had my son; “Fuck you… bitch.”

Prosecutors allege that on Wednesday night (Jan. 1), Vinson, along with Keith Finley, 60, a registered sex offender, and Gregory Callahan, 37, broke into Bernhard’s home on Nollar Bend Road, each armed with weapons.

–> ‘He deserves to die’: Woman charged with double murder in Washtenaw County and kidnapping erupts during court

Their goal was to recover Vinson’s 4-year-old daughter, who had been removed from her custody.

Sources say the Bernhards had been fostering the girl and hoped to adopt her.

“He literally murdered a mother in front of her daughter,” prosecutors said. “She killed two individuals in front of the two minor children.”

Jennifer and Stevie died at their home, but Jeffrey survived and managed to get to a neighbor’s house to call 911, prosecutors said.

The trio reportedly stole jewelry, phones and credit cards, prosecutors said, before kidnapping the Bernhard family’s 4-year-old foster child and 9-year-old daughter.

Police located both children safe at a home in Ypsilanti Township hours later. But even after being detained, Vinson allegedly continued to lash out, threatening the officers’ lives.

“She spit on one of the officers, had a gun and was reaching for the gun after they took her into custody,” prosecutors said.

Vinson has a criminal record spanning at least two decades for drug, weapons and assault charges and attacks on police officers.

At the time of his arrest, he had 25 active warrants for his arrest.

His co-defendant, Gregory Callhan, attempted to downplay his involvement during prosecution, and Keith Finley, a registered sex offender, refused to be prosecuted.

In the wake of this tragedy, the Bernhard and Smith families turn to their faith for comfort.

“In times like these, we cling to the words of Christ: ‘In this world you will have trouble, but take heart: I have overcome the world,’” the family said in a statement.

The community has launched a fundraiser to help cover funeral expenses, hospital bills and other costs.

To donate, visit the family’s GoFundMe page..

“Out of respect for my family, I don’t know if I can say anything else other than that my cousin Jenny and my great-uncle Steve were kind, caring, genuine, selfless, God-fearing and the most loving. .

My great-uncle Steve served others his entire life with his wife Linda through missions, and they passed those characteristics on to their children. He was witty, funny, and deeply involved in his community. I was lucky enough to see him on Christmas Eve and just a few days ago at Jenny’s house on New Year’s Eve.

My cousin Jenny was full of love and the Light of Jesus. She was an amazing cook and took after her mother. She was sweet and gentle, and she and my cousin Jeff always wanted to help people. They never hurt anyone in their life; all they wanted to do was better those around them.

The only fact that consoles me is knowing that when they saw Jesus face to face, he said to them: Well done, my good and faithful servants, for you lived your lives serving the Lord.

If they are taken from us too soon and too tragically, it will leave a void in our family without them.

“I appreciate you sharing the gofundme and bringing attention to this tragedy.”

Anna Fanelli at Local 4