Detroit resident Dishon Tyran Ambrose, 19, sits during a motion to dismiss his case on Wednesday in Mason’s 30th Circuit Court. Ambrose faces multiple criminal charges. Julia Nagy/The State News
Detroit resident Dishon Ambrose was denied a motion to dismiss the charges against him related to the death of an MSU student Wednesday in Mason’s 30th Circuit Court.
Ambrose, 19, and Eastepointe, Mich., resident Marquez Cannon, 17, were arrested after MSU freshman Olivia Pryor was found dead in her South Hubbard Hall dorm room last March.
Ambrose currently faces a felony charge for selling or furnishing to a minor causing death and a felony charge of accessory after the fact for allegedly attempting to clean up the crime scene.
Cannon is charged with two counts of criminal sexual conduct for the alleged rape of both Pryor and her roommate, as well as for selling or furnishing alcohol to a minor causing death.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, Ambrose’s attorney, Sheldon Halpern, argued the law under which the prosecution is charging Ambrose — for allegedly providing alcohol to a minor — was not intended by the Legislature to include cases of minors providing alcohol to other minors.
He also said the term “furnishing” used in the charge was questionable, especially because individuals of Ambrose’s age are permitted to serve alcohol in restaurants.
“My first reaction when I got this file was exactly the same as yours,” Judge William Collette said, addressing Halpern’s concerns regarding minors furnishing alcohol to other minors.
Halpern said he plans to appeal the decision and file motions to dismiss on other grounds.
Ingham County Assistant Prosecutor Bill Crino said currently, the case against Ambrose still is joined to Cannon’s, but he expects a motion to separate them in the future.
“My client is an absolute sweetheart,” Halpern said following the proceedings. “He intended no harm to anyone … he was crazy about the deceased as a person and he certainly mourns her unfortunate death.”
In the Aug. 17 and 21 preliminary examination in East Lansing’s 54B Circuit Court, witnesses, including Pryor’s roommate, testified about the details surrounding Pryor’s death.
Pryor’s roommate said on the night of March 18, she, Pryor, Cannon and Ambrose drank two bottles of tequila. Cannon allegedly raped Pryor’s roommate in their dorm room shower and raped Pryor while she was unconscious.
She said she found Pryor dead in their dorm room the next morning.
Halpern said various motions likely are to continue until November.
Ambrose appeared to arrive to court with his family.
Previously, Collette set Ambrose’s bond at $25,000 and should he make bond he could be released on conditions he live with his grandmother, abide by an 11 p.m. curfew and abstain from alcohol and drugs.
Cannon still is in custody.
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