Kalamazoo, Mich. (ap)
Jason Dalton is charged with murder and attempted murder. He’s accused of shooting eight people in three locations in the Kalamazoo area on Feb. 20; six died. Tiana Carruthers, one of two survivors, was the first witness, but her testimony was interrupted by bizarre outbursts by Dalton, who was dragged out of court by deputies and ordered to jail to watch the hearing via video.
Dalton, 45, who has been found competent to understand the charges and assist his lawyer, made strange references to “old people with these old black bags.” Judge Christopher Haenicke cut him off and called a recess after he said, “It’s time to get to temple.”
Carruthers sobbed loudly while stunned relatives of other victims watched Dalton being hauled away. After a break, she again described how she was shot four times outside an apartment building in the presence of children. Police have credited her with protecting them from possible injury.
“My body doesn’t look real. Metal in three different places. Screws and bolts,” the 25-year-old said. “I hurt every single day.”
