Latest news with #DrDevonHoover
CBS News
a day ago
- CBS News
Trial date set for Detroit man charged in murder of prominent neurosurgeon
A trial date has been set for a Detroit man charged in the murder of prominent Detroit neurosurgeon Dr. Devon Hoover. Desmond Burks, 34, appeared in court Thursday for a formal arraignment after being bound over for trial last week. Burks will head to trial on Jan. 5, 2026. Burks is charged with first-degree premeditated murder, felony murder, larceny of over $20,000, using a computer to commit a crime, possession of a firearm by a felon, and three counts of felony firearm second offense. Hoover was found shot in the head and wrapped in a blanket in the attic of his Boston-Edison neighborhood home on April 23, 2023, after police conducted a wellness check at the residence. An autopsy in May 2023 revealed Hoover was shot twice in the back of the head. Burks was identified as a person of interest early in the investigation and was charged in August 2024. Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said the investigation was complicated because many witnesses were reluctant to come forward with sensitive and personal information. Following Hoover's murder, Wayne County prosecutors say fraudulent transactions were reportedly made using the doctor's various bank accounts, and more than $30,000 was stolen from his accounts, as well as a Range Rover and two watches valued at $13,500. Authorities say Burks was seen on surveillance footage driving Hoover's Range Rover in the days following the doctor's murder. Prosecutors allege that text messages between Burks and Hoover established that the two were in an intimate relationship. Brian Douglas, a longtime friend of Hoover's, has attended nearly every one of Burks' court appearances, including Thursday's arraignment. He says Hoover's family and friends are finally one step closer to getting justice. "I was devastated when I heard. I was devastated because we almost reconnected, and we didn't," Douglas said. "When I saw who was victimized, and I heard who that person was, and I realized that person didn't deserve that, there was nothing else I could do but show up." Douglas says that after more than two years since his friend's murder, he still questions why such a good human being was taken away. "The point of it is, he should still be here," Douglas said. "He was murdered. He shouldn't have been murdered."
CBS News
26-06-2025
- CBS News
Detroit man charged in murder of prominent neurosurgeon headed to trial
Cellphone data revealed on Day 3 of preliminary hearing in murder of Detroit doctor Cellphone data revealed on Day 3 of preliminary hearing in murder of Detroit doctor Cellphone data revealed on Day 3 of preliminary hearing in murder of Detroit doctor A Detroit man charged with the murder of prominent Detroit neurosurgeon Dr. Devon Hoover will stand trial. Desmond Burks, 34, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder, felony murder, larceny of over $20,000, using a computer to commit a crime, possession of a firearm by a felon and three counts of felony firearm second offense. Wayne County prosecutors spent four days presenting evidence during a preliminary hearing before 36th District Court Judge Shawn Jacque. The judge ruled early Thursday afternoon that Burks would be bound over for trial. Hoover was found dead in the attic of his home in the 100 block of West Boston Boulevard in Detroit's Boston-Edison neighborhood on April 23, 2023, after police were called for a wellness check. A May 2023 autopsy revealed Hoover was shot twice in the back of the head. Prosecutors say the text messages between Burks and Hoover established that the two were in an intimate relationship. After Hoover's murder, prosecutors say fraudulent transactions were reportedly made using his various bank accounts, and more than $30,000 was stolen from Hoover's accounts, as well as a Range Rover and two watches valued at $13,500. Burks was charged in August 2024. At the time, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said the investigation was complicated because many witnesses were reluctant to come forward with sensitive and personal information. Prosecutors said investigators collected 300 pieces of evidence, 134 search warrants were served and 40 cellphones were examined. The investigation involved five states and three countries.
