Hoffman Shooting

Grandmother of slain teen bound over
for trial on an open murder charge.

Ronelle Grier

The
Craig Fahle
Show

Contributing Writer

S

andra Layne, the 74-year-old
West Bloomfield woman accused
of shooting her grandson,
Jonathan Hoffman, 17, on May 18, will
stand trial on an open murder charge
and possession of a firearm in the com-
mission of a felony, following a decision
by Judge Kimberly Small after a prelimi-
nary examination on Monday, July 2, in
48th District Court.
A charge of open murder means the
Circuit Court will determine whether
Layne faces charges of first- or second-
degree murder. A guilty verdict could
result in a sentence of life in prison.
Those in the courtroom heard a
recording of the 911 call made by
Hoffman after he was shot, along with
statements from defense attorney Jerome
Sabbota and Oakland County Assistant
Prosecutor Justin Davis. Testimony also
was given by Oakland County Medical
Examiner Ruben Ortiz-Reyes, who per-
formed the autopsy on Hoffman, and
four members of the West Bloomfield
Police Department who responded to the
teen's call for help.
The 911 tape began with Hoffman
saying, "My grandma shot me ... I'm
gonna die ... help:' When the operator
asked Hoffman where his grandpar-
ents were, he said they were not there.
Approximately three minutes later,
Hoffman screamed, "I got shot again ...
my stomach ... help..." A woman's voice
was heard saying "Let go" several times
before the tape went silent.
Police officers testified they arrived at
the Layne residence and took cover after
hearing gunshots coming from inside.
Moments later, they saw Layne come
through the front door, crying and say-
ing, "I murdered my grandson',' a phrase
she continued to repeat as police took
her into custody.
Some of Layne's family members were
in the courtroom, including her husband,
Fred, who had not been at the home dur-
ing the shooting.
Jonathan's parents, Jennifer and
Michael Hoffman, did not attend the
July 2 proceedings because they were
in Arizona caring for their 15-year-old
daughter, Jessie, who was diagnosed with
a benign brain tumor shortly after the
family moved from Farmington Hills to
Scottsdale last fall.
"I feel this is where I belong, parent-
ing my daughter during this very tough
time',' Michael Hoffman told the Jewish

Sandra Layne

News in a telephone interview after
hearing about Small's ruling."I can't do
anything to help Jonathan, but I can take
care of my daughter. And I have every
confidence that the prosecution team
will ensure that full justice prevails."
Jennifer Hoffman said she visited her
son several times since he moved in with
the Laynes last fall, staying for at least
a week each time. No one in the family,
including Jonathan and his grandmother,
mentioned any problems in the Layne
household.
"I spoke to my mother almost every
day, including the day before Jonathan
was killed',' said Jennifer. "She told me he
was doing fine; she was on her way to the
grocery store, wondering what to make
for dinner."
Michael Hoffman's sister, Judy Metzger
of Farmington Hills, said she had told
Layne that she and her husband, Marc,
were only a phone call and a five-minute
drive away if Layne ever needed help, but
the offer was never accepted.
Hoffman was struck in his upper arm,
chest and abdomen by five bullets; at
least three were fired from a distance of
3 feet or less, according to Ortiz-Reyes.
Police recovered a total of 10 shell cas-
ings from Layne's condominium, all fired
from the .40-caliber semi-automatic
Glock handgun Layne had purchased
several weeks before. Additional ammu-
nition and a speed-loading device were
also found in Layne's bedroom.
Ortiz-Reyes also testified that the
autopsy showed synthetic marijuana,
also known as K2 or Spice, was found in
Hoffman's urine but was not present in
his blood. Ortiz-Reyes said this meant
the drug was no longer in Hoffman's
system when he was killed, dispelling
rumors Hoffman was high on drugs at
the time of the shooting.
According to Sabbota, the case, which
has been assigned to Oakland County
Circuit Court Judge Denise Langford-
Morris, may not go to trial until January. ❑

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July 12 • 2012 11

