Wednesday, June 6 2012 8:18 PM EDT2012-06-07 00:18:26 GMT
A grieving father is speaking out not even two weeks after his son died from smoking Spice. He says the time is now for state lawmakers to take action.
A grieving father is speaking out not even two weeks after his son died from smoking Spice. He says the time is now for state lawmakers to take action, and he is urging you to get involved before this happens to another family.
Tuesday, June 5 2012 11:16 PM EDT2012-06-06 03:16:05 GMT
It's not just adults that want dangerous synthetic drugs gone for good. We spoke to a teen who also wants K2 banned.
It's not just adults that want dangerous synthetic drugs gone for good. We spoke to a teen who also wants K2 banned. This girl is a former classmate of Mitchell Young, one of the men accused in the deadly attack on a local family while he was allegedly high on K2.
Tuesday, June 5 2012 5:45 PM EDT2012-06-05 21:45:32 GMT
K2 Kops are now out in full force in Macomb County. Stores were put on alert Monday, warned if they sell the drug, they'll face consequences. Fox 2 followed Executive Mark Hackel during Tuesday's crackdown.
K2 Kops are now out in full force in Macomb County. Stores were put on alert Monday, warned if they sell the drug, they'll face consequences. Fox 2 followed Executive Mark Hackel during Tuesday's crackdown.
Tuesday, June 5 2012 5:44 PM EDT2012-06-05 21:44:12 GMT
The Wayne County Sheriff has established an anonymous 24-hour tip line where people can report stores in the county selling synthetic marijuana, otherwise known as K2 or Spice.
The Wayne County Sheriff has established an anonymous 24-hour tip line where people can report stores in the county selling synthetic marijuana, otherwise known as K2 or Spice.
Tuesday, June 5 2012 1:32 PM EDT2012-06-05 17:32:52 GMT
Port Huron is joining a growing list of Michigan communities working to ban the sale of so-called designer drugs. In a statement released on Tuesday, the Port Huron Police Department says it is "requesting
Port Huron is joining a growing list of Michigan communities working to ban the sale of so-called designer drugs. In a statement released on Tuesday, the Port Huron Police Department says it is "requesting
Monday, June 4 2012 11:18 PM EDT2012-06-05 03:18:49 GMT
K2 meets its match in Macomb County. The county is stepping up banning the sale of all versions of these synthetic drugs.
K2 meets its match in Macomb County. The county is stepping up banning the sale of all versions of these synthetic drugs. Now Executive Mark hackel wants the community to join the effort by becoming K2 Kops.
Sunday, June 3 2012 11:10 PM EDT2012-06-04 03:10:17 GMT
A Farmington Hills gas station puts out a sign claiming they don't sell K2. But a concerned customer contacted Fox 2 to say while that may be true, the store is still selling other versions of the synthetic drug.
A Farmington Hills gas station puts out a sign claiming they don't sell K2. But a concerned customer contacted Fox 2 to say while that may be true, the store is still selling other versions of the synthetic drug.
FRANKLIN, Mich. (WJBK) -
"He was just a beautiful, beautiful light in our lives, and now he's gone," said Larry Smith.
The tragedy is still so fresh, but speaking out about his son's death is so important for Smith as state lawmakers consider legislation to ban designer drugs like K2 and Spice, the stuff that killed 18-year-old Oliver Satchel Smith.
"It's Russian roulette -- you can smoke spice on many occasions and it might be a good or bad experience and you might smoke it one time and die."
On Saturday, May 26, a fisherman found Smith's lifeless body on the beach at Wing Lake in Bloomfield Township. The night before, Oliver had walked there from his nearby home, sat down and smoked some Spice.
"The next thing you know you're getting a phone call from a detective, and that, no one should have to go through that."
That is why Larry Smith is speaking out in hopes of saving someone else. If state lawmakers break for summer recess next week without banning designer drugs, he's afraid many more kids will end up like Oliver.
"It won't be Oliver on the front page, but it will be another family. It will be another brother not able to sleep. It will be grieving and suffering, and so you have to prevent that in any way you can."
Some counties are banning it. Some cities are creating ordinances, but the fact remains these synthetic drugs are still legal in the State of Michigan.
Right now, it's still on some store shelves or behind the counter if you ask for it.
"These people are dealing in death. You can't sugar coat this. They're dealing in death and tragedy and they're doing it now knowingly."
However, the state laws under consideration would make selling this stuff a four year felony. Larry Smith and his attorney, Scott Weinberg, want national legislation, but for now, a state law is a good start.
"It is an emergency. It's an emergency to call your representative, call your senator," said Weinberg. "They're the only ones right now that can make it illegal."
"It's important that they act now," Smith said. "It is important that this get done today."
Monday, June 17 2013 9:27 PM EDT2013-06-18 01:27:07 GMT
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
Friday, June 14 2013 5:57 PM EDT2013-06-14 21:57:29 GMT
Jurors have gone home without a verdict on the first day of deliberations in the trial of a Detroit police officer charged in the shooting death of a 7-year-old girl.
Jurors have gone home without a verdict on the first day of deliberations in the trial of a Detroit police officer charged in the shooting death of a 7-year-old girl.
Thursday, June 13 2013 5:44 PM EDT2013-06-13 21:44:55 GMT
It was a day of dramatic testimony in the manslaughter trial of the Detroit cop charged with killing seven-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones as Officer Joseph Weekley took the stand in his own defense.
It was a day of dramatic testimony in the manslaughter trial of the Detroit cop charged with killing seven-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones as Officer Joseph Weekley took the stand in his own defense.
Monday, June 10 2013 7:55 PM EDT2013-06-10 23:55:49 GMT
Testimony got emotional on Monday as the jury heard from Aiyana Jones' grandmother, but the defense questioned whether she has told two different accounts of what happened.
Testimony got emotional on Monday as the jury heard from Aiyana Jones' grandmother, but the defense questioned whether she has told two different accounts of what happened.
Sunday, June 9 2013 10:40 PM EDT2013-06-10 02:40:28 GMT
Tucker Cipriano, the teenager accused of attacking his family and killing his father, is set to go on trial Monday. However, we've learned his family is stepping up its fight to head off that trial.
Tucker Cipriano, the teenager accused of attacking his family and killing his father, is set to go on trial Monday. However, we've learned his family is stepping up its fight to head off that trial.
Monday, June 17 2013 9:27 PM EDT2013-06-18 01:27:07 GMT
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
Monday, June 17 2013 11:31 PM EDT2013-06-18 03:31:06 GMT
Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr is working on improving city services, including the streetlights. More than 40 percent of them do not work, but the Detroit Public Lighting Authority is now beginning its work.
As Kevyn Orr tries to solve Detroit's financial crisis, he is also working on improving city services, including the streetlights. More than 40 percent of them do not work, but the Detroit Public Lighting Authority is now beginning its work.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:43 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:43:12 GMT
He is a Detroit lawmaker serving his second term in the state House, but he may be spending a little too much time at his own house. M.L. Elrick puts state Rep. John Olumba's attendance record under the microscope.
He is a Detroit lawmaker serving his second term in the state House, but he may be spending a little too much time at his own house. M.L. Elrick puts state Rep. John Olumba's attendance record under the microscope.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:36 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:36:35 GMT
The FBI and local police have teamed up hoping to solve a 38-year-old murder mystery. They are searching an Oakland Township field looking for Jimmy Hoffa.
The FBI and local police have teamed up hoping to solve a 38-year-old murder mystery. They are searching an Oakland Township field looking for Jimmy Hoffa.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:45 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:45:07 GMT
In a surprising move, Tucker Cipriano pled no contest to murder in the beating death of his father. Cipriano made the plea just days before members of his own family were set to testify against him.
In a surprising move, Tucker Cipriano pled no contest to murder in the beating death of his father. Cipriano made the plea just days before members of his own family were set to testify against him.
Monday, June 17 2013 5:55 PM EDT2013-06-17 21:55:56 GMT
A new search for the remains of Jimmy Hoffa is underway in northern Oakland County. Armed with a search warrant, the FBI moved in Monday morning and started digging in Oakland Township.
A new search for the remains of Jimmy Hoffa is underway in northern Oakland County. Armed with a search warrant, the FBI moved in Monday morning and started digging in Oakland Township.
Monday, June 17 2013 4:56 PM EDT2013-06-17 20:56:42 GMT
General Motors is recalling more than 193,652 SUVs from the 2006 and 2007 model years because a circuit board in the driver's door could short and cause a fire.
General Motors is recalling more than 193,652 SUVs from the 2006 and 2007 model years because a circuit board in the driver's door could short and cause a fire.
Larry Smith wants lawmakers to take action to ban Spice. (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
Oliver Satchel Smith
