GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (Mar. 3, 2014) — It’s the day the family of two grandparents have waited 14 months for. Jury selection begins Monday in downtown Grand Rapids for the trial of Javonte Higgins.
He is charged with two counts of murder in connection with the deaths of David and Vivian Bouwman. They were shot to death in their Kentwood home in January of 2013. The couple’s car was later found burning in the parking lot of an apartment complex.
Police later arrested Higgins in Chicago, and he was brought back to Michigan. He underwent multiple mental evaluations after exhibiting bizarre behavior during his earlier court appearances, which included being unresponsive and even drooling. The judge ultimately found him competent to stand trial.
If convicted, Higgins faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.
