News

Actions

Man charged with killing Lansing firefighter sent to trial

Posted at 4:33 PM, Dec 03, 2015
and last updated 2015-12-03 16:33:57-05

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A man accused of intentionally striking a Lansing firefighter with his pickup truck has been ordered to trial on a murder charge and other crimes.

A judge heard testimony from witnesses Thursday after attorneys signed off on an expert’s report that found Grant Taylor is competent. He has a history of mental illness.

Firefighter Dennis Rodeman was struck and killed in September while in a street collecting donations for charity.

A witness, Jeff Town, says Rodeman and Taylor spoke before Taylor became “very agitated” and drove away. Police say he returned and hit Rodeman with his pickup.

The Lansing State Journal (http://on.lsj.com/1LRahCM ) says another firefighter, Bruce Wheeler, says he jumped out of the way after making eye contact with Taylor before Rodeman was hit.