MUSKEGON, Mich (May 21, 2014) — The Muskegon County Prosecutor’s Office has announced charges for two men in connection to a 2012 homicide.
Deonte E. Billups, 20, was shot and killed in the 1200 block of Allen Avenue in the early morning hours of November 4, 2012. Three people were taken into custody shortly after the shooting after witnesses helped identify a suspect vehicle that was involved. Billups was shot in his back and head and was rushed to the hospital where he died.
One of the suspects initially charged in the homicide is Quazala Dewayne Porchia, 24. He was initially charged with being an accessory after the fact of the murder, but he now faces charges of open murder, felony firearms, and for lying to police during the course of the investigation.
Online records with the Michigan Department of Corrections show Porchia has served time for carrying a concealed weapon in relation to the murder.
The other suspect now charged with open murder is 30-year-old Demario Marcellis Buchanan. He’s also facing several felony firearms charges along with lying to police and for being a four-time habitual offender.
Buchanan is still serving time for running from police in relation to the murder, according to online records with the Michigan Department of Corrections . His record also shows past convictions for drug charges.
Prosecutors say two things led to the charges: evidence analysis from the Michigan State Police crime laboratory along, and the recent apprehension of a key witness to the Billups shooting in Chicago.
The witness that was recently found in Chicago was taken into custody after an order was issued by the Muskegon County Prosecutor’s Office. Prosecutors say the charges couldn’t have been filed without the witness being found by the Chicago Police Department.
