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LANSING ? Yesterday, Walter Purvis, 53, of Detroit, was bound over to stand trial in the 16th Circuit Court in Macomb County on one count of False Report or Threat of Terrorism, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Purvis is charged for allegedly threatening to kill Arabs in a voicemail left for his Clinton Township-based attorney. Tuesday's preliminary examination took place in the 41B District Court in Macomb County before Judge Carrie Lynn Fuca.
Purvis was dissatisfied with the resolution of a criminal matter and had placed multiple calls expressing this dissatisfaction to the attorney who had represented him before leaving the alleged threatening voicemail. In the voicemail, the State contends Purvis described a grievance with Arabs arising out of his criminal case and threatened to assassinate them.
?Racially motivated threats of violence must be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the available laws, and I will continue my advocacy with the legislature to strengthen our state?s hate crimes protections,? said Nessel. ?Michigan residents who are victims of hate crimes should not hesitate to contact my department?s Hate Crimes and Domestic Terrorism Unit."
Purvis was charged as a habitual fourth offender, the offense is potentially punishable by incarceration up to life or any term of years. He will next appear for Circuit Court arraignment on January 30th before Judge Julie Gatti.
In 2019, Attorney General Nessel launched the Hate Crimes and Domestic Terrorism Unit. If you are a victim of a hate crime or have credible information about a hate crime, please contact your local police department first and then the Department of Attorney General via email or at 313-456-0040.
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Please note: A criminal charge is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The Department does not provide booking photos.
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