OSHTEMO TOWNSHIP, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – There are new details emerging in a recent Oshtemo Township murder case that resulted in one death earlier this month.
Previously, police had arrested 19-year-old Joriel Cruz in the shooting of of 23-year-old Phillip Miller. Cruz is facing charges of open murder and felony firearm.
Police say the incident occurred in the 5500 Block of Redcoat Lane in Oshtemo Township, which is inside the Colonial Manor mobile home park.
According to the report, Cruz’s sister, Joynette, told police that she had been the one who shot Miller to cover up for her brother. However, police said evidence at the scene did not match up with her account of what happened.
Sister falsely confessed to Kalamazoo County homicide to protect brother, police report says
Updated Apr 28, 2021;
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KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI – Joynette Cruz falsely confessed to fatally shooting her boyfriend in order to protect her brother, according to police reports.
Phillip Miller, 23, was fatally shot around 1:10 a.m. on April 8, in the 5500 block of Redcoat Lane. The address is inside the Colonial Manor mobile home park off West KL Avenue in Oshtemo Township.
That same day, Joynette Cruz, 20, told Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office she shot Miller, according to the police report obtained by MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette through a Freedom of Information Act request.
Suspect arraigned in killing of 23-year-old in Kalamazoo County
Updated Apr 13, 2021;
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KALAMAZOO, MI – One person has been charged in the killing of a Kalamazoo man.
Joriel Cruz, 19, was arraigned April 12 in Kalamazoo County District Court on one felony count of open murder and one count of felony firearm for the fatal shooting of 23-year-old Phillip Miller, Chief Assistant Prosecutor Scott Brower said Monday, April 12.
Police said a suspect in the shooting was arrested the same day.
Bond was denied for Cruz at his arraignment, Brower said.
Cruz, who is being held at the Kalamazoo County Jail, is scheduled for a preliminary examination conference April 20.