sault ste. marie

Tuesday, August 31, 2004

Teeple Charged, Hearings Set for Monday

Thomas Donald Teeple, 27 of Brimley, the suspect in the Friday morning fatal stabbing on Red Pine Lane appeared before Magistrate Judge Timothy P. Greeley in The United States District Court in Marquette yesterday. Teeple, wearing an orange Marquette County Jail jumpsuit, was read his rights and charged with the knife assault resulting in the death of Jason Lyons, 23 of Brimley. Teeple, originally from Middletown, New York but currently of Bay Mills has a Monday preliminary hearing at 1 p.m. a detention hearing will determine whether bond will be set. In the meantime, he will be held in the Marquette County Jail. Teeple faces a possible sentence, if convicted, of life in prison or the death penalty. The death penalty is only allowable in Michigan in Federal cases.

Because of the complexities surrounding Capital Crimes in Indian Country, an indictment may be handed down before he is arraigned on a Federal murder charge. Federal prosecutors are handling the case since the killing occured on the Bay Mills Indian Reservation. Authorities from the Bay Mills Police Department, Michigan State Police, Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are working on the case. All Major Crimes on Indian Reservations fall under the jurisdiction of Federal authorities.

Teeple, according to documents filed in court, fatally stabbed Jason Lyons during an altercation at an early morning house party. The fatal assault occured after Lyons stepped in to help a female who was involved in a figth with Teeple. According to the document, prepared by Special Agent Leslie Hahn, Tribal Police officers Paul Baragawanath and Robert Carrick were patroling the neighborhood and heard loud voices and screaming. When they arrived near the Red Pine Lane and Crane Ave. scene, they found the victim laying in the driveway amidst several fights. Lyons was found to be stabbed, but was still alive at the time. An ambulance crew from the Bay Mills Emergency Connection was dispatched to the scene and transported Lyons to the Hospital in the Sault. Meanwhile, officers Baragawanath and Carrick set out on a pursuit of the suspect, eventually apprehending him after a brief vehicle and foot pursuit. According to the document, when the officers apprehended Teeple, he had a cut on his hand and was covered in blood. The weapon, described as a blue butterfly-type knife with a double-edge blade was located with the assistance of a police dog 300-400 yards from the crime scene and along the route Teeple took when he fled. The court document also indicated that Lyons had died from multiple wounds to the chest.

Funeral Services for Jason Lyons will be held at Blessed Kateri in Bay Mills on Tuesday from 6p.m. to 9p.m, with prayers at 8:30p.m. Funeral Mass will also be held at Blessed Kateri on Wednesday at 11:30a.m.

Point Iroqois - This Soo Locks Tour Boat cruises past the Point Iroqois Light House on Tuesday Morning. The Tour Boat normally tours the Soo Locks and lower St. Mary's River and her appearance today in the upper channel caught some onlookers by surprise.

Teeple Enterprises, L.L.C.

Your Minority Business Solution

(586) 627-0116