Valedictorian, 22, found guilty of bludgeoning/stabbing his mentally unstable mother to death at their home Jeffrey Pyne, 22, found guilty of second-degree murder Prosecutors claim he beat and stabbed Ruth Pyne, 51, to death/Sentenced to 20 to 60 years.

ABC News’ John Muller reports:


A former high school valedictorian and University of Michigan student is on trial today for first degree murder, accused of bludgeoning and stabbing his mentally ill mother to death in the family’s suburban Michigan home.

Jeffrey Pyne, 22, was arrested in October 2011, five months after Ruth Pyne was found dead in the garage of the family’s Highland Township, Mich., home. Pyne, 51, was found dead by her now 11-year-old daughter.

Jeffrey Pyne was indicted by a secret grand jury so little is known about the evidence linking him to the murder. Court documents filed by prosecutors do refer to wounds on his hands hours after the murder. Pyne says he was at work at the time of the murder and maintains he is innocent.

Pyne’s father, Bernard, tells ABC News that his son is innocent.

Court records show that Ruth Pyne had a history of mental illness dating back 14 years and was allegedly often violent. In 2010, Pyne was accused of attacking her son, allegedly beating him and attempting to strangle him. She was placed in jail for two weeks.

“Her own psychiatrist actually recommended that she become an inpatient because of her mental illness. The question is, did this violent history with the mother provide a motive for the son to then commit murder?” said former prosecutor Dan Schorr.

The murder and arrest shocked residents in Highland Township. By all accounts Jeffery Pyne was the perfect son who was named valedictorian at West Highland Christian Academy. He was a star athlete who was majoring in biology at the University of Michigan.

“The whole thing really upset the neighborhood. I really don’t think Jeffrey did it,” said neighbor Walt Hickok.

As the trial begins this morning, many of Pyne’s neighbors where he grew up agree that he is innocent and wrongly accused.

“We don’t feel that the real murderer has been caught. We feel that there is someone out here that did it, other than Jeffrey,” Hickok said.

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Jury selection under way in Pyne murder trial
Highland man, 22, accused of killing his mother

6:11 AM, Nov. 15, 2012

Written by
Aileen Wingblad
Staff Writer

Jury selection began Tuesday in the courtroom of Oakland County Circuit Judge Leo Bowman in the murder trial of Jeffrey Pyne, the 22-year-old Highland man accused of murdering his mother, Ruth Pyne, in May 2011.

Seating a jury could take several days.

As the jury pool was whittled down Tuesday, remaining prospective jurors were questioned individually about their exposure to media accounts of the high-profile crime. One of them, a middle-aged woman who said she had read about the case in the newspaper, said she's uncomfortable with the responsibility of rendering a verdict. She also said after seeing the defendant that she didn't think he could have “done it.”

Ruth Pyne, who had a history of mental illness, was found bludgeoned and stabbed to death May 27, 2011, in the garage of the family's home in Highland. Jeffrey Pyne, a former University of Michigan student, has been in custody without bond in the Oakland County Jail for the last 13 months. His October 2011 arrest for first-degree, premeditated murder followed the first-ever indictment of the Oakland County Citizen Grand Jury. He faces up to life in prison if convicted as charged.

Several of Jeffrey Pyne's family members, include his father, Bernie Pyne, stand behind his claim of innocence.

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Jeffrey Pyne Trial: Former Valedictorian Accused Of Murdering Ruth Pyne, Mother, In Michigan

The Huffington Post | By Michael McLaughlin

Posted: 11/13/2012 2:52 pm EST Updated: 11/14/2012 5:22 am EST

The much-anticipated murder trial of a former high school valedictorian accused of killing his mentally ill and abusive mother was set to begin in rural Michigan today.

The suspect is 22-year-old Jeffrey Pyne -- the top student in his class at a private Christian academy, a star athlete and a young man who helped elderly neighbors, according to the Detroit Free Press.

He's languished in the Oakland County jail since last October for allegedly bludgeoning and stabbing Ruth Pyne to death, ABC News reported.

The 51-year-old mother of two was found in the garage at the family's Highland Township home in May by her then-11-yea-old daughter. She had been stabbed 16 times in the neck, CBS News reported. Five months later her son was indicted on first-degree murder charges by a grand jury.

Jeffrey was a biology student at the University of Michigan then and claims he was at work at the time his stay-at-home mother was slain.

His father and Ruth's husband Bernard told ABC News that he believes his son is innocent. That view is apparently widely held in their small town. Hundreds of supporters attended an event at a bowling alley in July to raise money for his defense, Patch reported.

But the trickle of information that has emerged reveals that Jeffrey was the target of his mother's rage when she stopped taking medication. Ruth has a 14-year documented history of mental illness with violent outbursts, according to court records. She spent two weeks in jail in 2010 on allegations that she beat and strangled her son, the Daily Mail said.

Prosecutors referred to wounds on Jeffrey's hands in the hours after the murder, according to court documents.

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Trial starts for student charged in mother's slaying

L.L. Brasier, Detroit Free Press

Prosecutors say Jeffrey Pyne was angry at his mother because she refused to take medication for her ongoing mental illness.

Pyne, a University of Michigan biology student, faces life prison without parole if convicted

Prosecutors say he had fresh wounds on his hands the day he was arrested

Defense attorneys say there is little evidence tying Pyne to the killing

10:52PM EST November 16. 2012 - DETROIT -- Ruth Pyne's 10-year-old daughter found her dead in the family's garage, her skull crushed and her neck stabbed repeatedly.

Prosecutors contend Jeffrey Pyne, a biology student at the University of Michigan, killed his mother that day in May 2011 because he was angry over her ongoing mental illness and her refusal to take medication.

His defense attorney says prosecutors have the wrong man on trial.

As Pyne's trial got under way with opening statements Friday in Oakland County Circuit Court, jurors heard the frantic 911 call placed by Bernard Pyne after his young daughter found his wife's body on May 27, 2011.

"Send an ambulance," Bernard Pyne begs. "There is blood everywhere. I can't figure out what's happened."

In the background, their 10-year-old daughter can be heard whimpering and crying.

The Pynes' next-door neighbor, David Gilbert, testified he heard Bernard screaming and ran to help. Gilbert peeked around the door into the garage, and could see Ruth's bloody hand. He looked further.

"I saw her lying on the ground in a large pool of blood," Gilbert told jurors. "She appeared to be deceased."

Jeffrey Pyne, who was arrested a year ago, is charged with first-degree murder and faces life in prison without parole if convicted.

Assistant prosecutor John Skrzynski pointed to Pyne's fresh wounds on his hands the day of the slaying as evidence.

William Cartwright, a manager at Spicers Orchard and Farm Market in Fenton, testified Pyne showed up for his usual 3 p.m. shift, where he worked odd jobs, with blister-like scrapes on his hands. Pyne told him he had hurt himself while throwing a wooden pallet used to store produce.

But the injuries seemed odd, Cartwright testified. "It looked like he'd gone to the batting cage and took 50 swings," he said.

Prosecutors contend Pyne suffered those injuries as he swung the murder weapon, likely a board.

"This was an angry, angry killing. It was the result of years and years with a difficult person who was bipolar,'' Skrzynski told jurors.

Court documents show Ruth Pyne, 51, had been seriously mentally ill since 1998. She was repeatedly hospitalized and sometimes assaultive toward her children. Nine months before she was killed, she was jailed after trying to strangle Jeffrey Pyne, according to records.

Defense attorney James Champion said prosecutors have little evidence tying Jeffrey Pyne to the killing.

"We absolutely reject the notion that Jeffrey had anything to do with this," he said. "We believe the evidence will show a rush to judgment."

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Neighbors, deputies and others testify at U of M student’s murder trial

NOVEMBER 16, 2012BY: DONNA GUNDLE-KRIEG

There was a full afternoon of witnesses testifying in the Jeffrey Pyne murder trial today in Oakland County Circuit Court in Pontiac, Michigan.

Pyne, 22, is accused of murdering his mentally ill mother, who had been violent towards him in the past. Jeff maintains his innocence, and his family, friends, and neighbors have rallied to support him.

Witness: 911 operator
The first witness of the afternoon was a 911 operator. She testified that the call regarding Ruth Pyne’s death came in at 2:36 pm on May 27, 2010. The first officer arrived at Pynes at 2:45 pm, and at 8:56 pm, the last officer left.

They played the 911 tape for the jury. At the beginning of the tape, Bernie Pyne was talking. However, he was so upset and stressed that he handed the phone to his neighbor to complete the 911 call.

Witness Dave Gilbert, neighbor
Dave Gilbert lives next door to the Pynes. At about 2:30 on May 27, 2011, he heard screaming outside and ran out to see Bernie and Julia yelling for help.

He came over to help and peeked in the garage. He saw Ruth Pyne’s bloody hand under the door. She was lying in the corner in a pool of blood. Gilbert then helped Bernie call 911.

Gilbert testified that he knew that Ruth was bipolar, and knew about her frequent refusal to take her medicine. He also stated that he can not see Pyne’s driveway from his house due to the distance and the trees.

When Mr. Champion cross-examined Mr. Gilbert, he told the court how his wife saw someone with a hooded sweatshirt cutting through the yards one late afternoon a week before the murder. She called police to report this, as she thought it might be connected.

Even though the sheriffs sent letters to the neighbors shortly after the murder assuring them they were safe, Mr. Gilbert continues to be concerned about a killer in the neighborhood. He has even put in new floodlights.

Witness Michael Saile, Oakland County Deputy
The next witness, Michael Saile, is an Oakland County Deputy stationed in Highland Township.

He was the first to arrive at the Pynes on May 26 in response to the 911 call. When he arrived at 2:45 pm, he was greeted by Bernie, Julia, and two neighbors.

Saile saw Ruth’s bloody hand, and had to squeeze through the door to see the body. The pool of bread (note: gross error here ~ should be "blood", NOT "bread".) was bright red when he arrived. He saw that a large piece of her skull saw (another one - should be "was" ~ NOT "saw")missing. She was not wearing shoes.

At this point, the prosecutor showed a graphic picture of Ruth Pyne lying on a board in the garage surrounded by blood.

Saile noticed that the door on the garage was closed but not locked. He walked through the house twice to be sure there were no other victims or killers. He also noticed that the front door was deadbolted.

Saile told the jury that deputies were “dumpster diving” in the entire area for several days, and also looked in ditches, fields and other areas for evidence.

Champion was aggressive when cross examining this witness. It seemed as if the police mishandled this part of the investigation, since the deputy had incomplete records of the officials who came and left the crime scene. He also established that several people touched various doors and walked through the house without “footies” before the CSI people showed up.

Amy McIntosh, paramedic
Amy McIntosh has been employed at Star EMS as a paramedic. She went to Pynes on May 27, 2011 and observed Ruth Pyne deceased inside the garage door.

The deceased had a head wound and was lying in a pool of blood. She was not breathing and had no pulse. She was pronounced dead bu McIntosh at 2:58 pm. After she declared Ruth Pyne deceased, McIntosh said that the officer asked her not to disturb the scene.

At one point on the day of the murder, Bernie Pyne asked this witness what had happened to his wife. He was distraught, and had tears in his eyes. He was in the back of the ambulance with Julia, and was on his phone calling his son to come home.

Jeff arrived home and got into the ambulance with his dad and sister so that they could tell him about the mother being murdered. Soon after, Jeff left the ambulance and was crying and moaning, and kneeling on the ground.

However, McIntosh said that she was surprised that when Jeff got up, as he had no tears, and his face was read. (Should be "red", NOT "read".)She thought at the time that this was a strange reaction and that maybe Jeff was acting.

Awhile later, McIntosh was sitting in the car with Jeff, Julia and Bernie Pyne and she offered to take their blood pressure. At that point, Jeffrey asked her if she could re-bandage his wounds. Jeff told her that he received these wounds at work while “throwing a pallet.” The wounds on his hands appeared to be large blisters.

After court was adjourned, the judge told the jury that since next week is Thanksgiving, there will be a full day on Monday and half day on Tuesday before a five-day break.

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WITNESSES: Jeffrey Pyne showed no emotion in hours following mother's death

Published: Monday, November 19, 2012
By DAVE PHILLIPS
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Jeffrey Pyne showed no emotion in the hours following his mother’s death, according to two witnesses who testified Monday morning in front of Oakland County Circuit Judge Leo Bowman.

Pyne, 22, is on trial, charged with first-degree premeditated murder in the death of his 51-year-old mother, Ruth.

Ruth Pyne was found severely beaten and stabbed in the garage of the Pynes’ Highland Township home on May 27, 2011.

Gary Bonham, an EMS worker who responded to the scene, said Jeffrey Pyne immediately joined his father and sister in an ambulance upon returning home that day.

After spending about five minutes inside the ambulance, “one door kind of flew open,” and Jeffrey Pyne fell to the ground and sounded like he was crying and dry-heaving, Bonham said,
(Reminds me of Ronald Cummings. MOO.)
“It kind of looked like a show to me; an act,” Bonham said.

“It didn’t look genuine.”

Bonham said he did not see any tears in Pyne’s eyes.

“He really didn’t have any emotion on his face at all,” Bonham said.

“It looked like he got up and (thought) ‘Well, now I’ve got to get back in the ambulance, because I’m done putting on a show.’”

Oakland County Sheriff’s deputy Ronald Chatterson agreed with that assessment.

Pyne “really had no emotion (during questioning) at the substation,” Chatterson said.

Meanwhile, Jeffrey Pyne’s father, Bernie Pyne was “very distraught” over the death of his wife, Chatterson said.

“He just couldn’t get a handle on what was going on and what happened to his wife.”

Chatterson also said he found a knife in Jeffrey Pyne’s possession.

Shortly after noon, with Chatterson still on the stand, Bowman dismissed court for lunch. Testimony is scheduled to resume around 1:45 p.m.

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November 20, 2012 at 1:00 am

Detective: 'A lot of blood' at Highland Twp. slaying scene

At man's trial in mom's death, detective says he found no sign of forced entry in home

By Mike Martindale
The Detroit News

Pontiac — A detective called to the scene of Ruth Pyne's death a year and a half ago told an Oakland Circuit Court jury Monday that blood was everywhere in the Highland Township garage, and that the house showed no signs of forced entry.

"I had no idea of what happened. I saw a lot of blood, wounds to the neck and a lot of blood," testified Oakland County Sheriff's Detective Steven Zdravkowski on Monday afternoon in the courtroom of Judge Leo Bowman.

Jeffrey Pyne, 22, is on trial for first-degree, premeditated murder in the brutal beating and stabbing death of his mentally ill mother.

The bloody body of Pyne, 51, was found by her 10-year-old daughter, lying on the garage floor of their Highland Township home May 27, 2011, amid a baseball bat and hockey sticks.

After conferring with another deputy, Michael Saile, Zdravkowski said he went around the exterior of the house, checking the windows and doors.

"I didn't find anything that involved a forced entry," he testified, noting that Saile reported the front door was dead-bolted.

Zdravkowski and Saile then did a room-by-room sweep throughout the house, which he described as "scary" because they didn't know if they would come across a suspect or other victims. They found neither.

Assistant Prosecutor John Skrzynski had Zdravkowski point out where the body was found using slide projections on a screen.

An autopsy determined Pyne was struck multiple times in the head and arms with an object, believed to be a two-by-four, and then turned over and stabbed 16 times in the neck with a knife.

According to investigators, Jeffrey Pyne's hands had "friction" injuries consistent with repeatedly swinging an object like a board.

Pyne provided several explanations for how he had suffered the injuries at work.

At one point, all eyes in the courtroom focused on a gruesome death scene projected on a screen behind Pyne. Pyne turned away from the images.

Pyne's defense attorney, James Champion, told the jury that the evidence against his client was circumstantial.

But investigators believe Pyne, a University of Michigan biology student and former high school honor student, became increasingly frustrated and angry at his mother, who had tried to kill his younger sister and also attacked him during psychotic episodes.

Ruth Pyne had been diagnosed as bipolar and had a history of not taking her medication.

Other witnesses, including detectives, testified Tuesday that Jeffrey Pyne, who was at work when his mother was found and had to be called to the home by his father, showed little emotion at his mother's death.

The trial is expected to last at least two weeks.

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Witness contradicts Jeffrey Pyne's alibi for mother's murder

4:42 PM, November 30, 2012

By L.L. Brasier
Detroit Free Press staff writer
.
When police interviewed Jeffrey Pyne in the hours after his mother’s murder, he told them he had been planting lilac bushes at the home of a former teacher at the time his mother was killed. But the teacher, Diane Needham, testified today that the bushes had been planted four days earlier.

Needham’s testimony came in the eighth day of Pyne’s first degree murder trial. Pyne is accused of killing Ruth Pyne, 51, May 27, 2011. Needham said she was visiting a nearby daughter when she got a voice mail around 2:30 p.m. from Pyne that day that he had been to her home in Highland Township that afternoon and planted the lilac bushes.

In truth, Needham said, they were planted on May 23, she said. “When I drove into the yard I knew that Jeffrey had been there,” Needham told jurors.

Prosecutors contend Pyne lied about his alibi because he killed his mother sometime mid-day, then disposed of bloody clothes and the murder weapon before showing up for work at Spicer’s Orchard in Fenton at 3 p.m.

Needham’s neighbor, Donald MacKinnon, who lives next door, also testified that he was outside most of the day on the day of the murder, helping another neighbor put together an above ground pool. He told jurors that he never saw Pyne, 22, at the Needham home, nor did he see Pyne’s car. And like Needham, he said he noticed the newly planted lilacs early in the week, not Friday.

Defense attorney James Champion, under cross exam, said, “You’re not saying he wasn’t there, you’re just saying you didn’t see him.”

MacKinnon said, “No, I’m saying he wasn’t there.”

In testimony earlier in the day, Erica Anderson, a forensic laboratory specialist with the Michigan State Police testified that blood found on the faucet handle of a laundry room tub matched Ruth Pyne’s DNA. Prosecutors contend Pyne, after bludgeoning his mother in the garage, cleaned up in the house.

Prosecutors have argued to the jurors that Pyne, angry that his mother, who suffered serious mental illness, was refusing to take her medication, flew into a rage and killed her. Champion has argued that Ruth Pyne was likely killed by a stranger, or strangers.

The trial is before Oakland County Circuit Court judge Leo Bowman.

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Student’s former girlfriend testifies in mom/murder trial

JEFF PYNEDECEMBER 10, 2012
BY: DONNA GUNDLE-KRIEGSubscribe
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Jeff Pyne and Holly Freeman in happier times
Credits: Jeff Pyne's Facebook

Several witnesses took the stand today for the prosecutor in Jeffrey Pyne’s murder trial.

These witnesses included yet another forensic scientist and neighbor of Diane Needham, followed by the beginning of lengthy testimony by Holly Freeman, Jeff Pyne’s former girlfriend.

Pyne, 22, is a University of Michigan biology student accused of murdering Ruth Pyne, his mentally ill mother last year. Ruth Pyne had previously been violent towards Jeffrey and his younger sister Julia.

Jeffrey continues to maintain his innocence, and his family, friends and community support him.

Needham’s neighbor Andrew Lesnew takes the stand
The trial finally began late morning, when Prosecutor Skrzynski called Andrew Lesnew, a neighbor of Diane Needham, to the stand.

Lesnew was constructing his pool on May 27, 2011 with his neighbor Don MacKinnon. He worked from 10:15 am until about 7:30 or 8:00 that night. At one time during the morning, Lesnew and MacKinnon went to MacKinnon’s house for a few minutes to get a shovel.

Lesnew knew Jeffrey Pyne from some of the times he saw Jeff working at Diane Needham’s house. He recognizes Jeff Pyne’s car and stated that Jeff usually parked up close to the garage, in the far right of the three bays in front of the garage. Lesnew said that Jeff’s muffler was loud.

Lesnew stated that he did not see or hear Jeffrey’s car anytime on May 27. He does remember that Jeff was mowing the lawn on Monday or Tuesday earlier that week, but does not remember that he saw Jeff doing any digging. He does remember that he first saw the lilac bushes planted on Tuesday May 24.

This witness testified that he has a clear view of Mrs. Needham’s driveway and the front of her house. The tree in-between Lesnew’s house and Mrs. Needham’s house doesn’t have branches until it's about 13 feet off the ground, so it does not block the view.

Cross-examination of Andrew Lesnew
Lesnew stated that he sees Mrs. Needham frequently, but doesn’t talk to her much. He said that Mrs. Needham usually parks in the far left bay in front of the house.

Later in the afternoon of May 27, Lesnew’s father and some of his friends put in some of the walls of the pool. At one time, there were seven people building the pool. Lesnew said that even though they worked very hard on the pool, he would have seen and heard Jeffrey Pyne if he was at Needham’s house that day.

Lesnew said that he was not testifying that Jeff was not at Needham’s house, but only stating that he did not see Jeff there on that day. He also stated that he does not know who killed Ruth Pyne.

Forensic scientist Heather Vitta testifies
Heather Vitta is a forensic scientist supervisor at the Michigan State Police Crime Lab. She received a package on October 16, 2012 which contained a small box with evidence inside. The items included a tube of Ruth Pyne’s blood and a number of hairs, each individually packaged and identified.

Vitta had previously looked at the hairs and determined that she did not think that there would be any DNA present on the hairs. At that time, the hairs were sent to the mitochondrial DNA testing lab. Personnel from that lab washed and separated the hairs, and eventually sent the package back to the crime lab, asking for further analysis on the one hair root.

Vitta was asked to do nuclear DNA testing on one particular hair which appeared to still have the root attached. She stated that a hair has to be forcibly removed from the head in order for the root to be present.

Vitta examined the hair in question with a magnifying glass, and proceeded with the extraction process. After completing all of her scientific studies, she found that she was unable to recover any DNA from this particular hair.

Cross–examination of Vitta
Vitta told Champion that she only tested one hair root. There was no scalp material attached. She had no information on whose hair root this was, and her DNA analysis did not reveal any information.

Jeff’s former girlfriend Holly Freeman takes the stand
Holly Freeman, Jeff’s former girlfriend, took the stand as several college-aged spectators entered the courtroom to support her.

Holly testified that she was Jeff Pyne’s serous girlfriend for about two years, and had talked with Jeff about marriage and kids. She is no longer involved in a relationship with Jeff.

Holly started dating Jeff in 2008, and thinks that she first had a lengthy conversation with Ruth Pyne in late 2008 at a family dinner. She said it was a normal family dinner other than the fact that Ruth was very hyper. For example, she spoke and moved very quickly. Holly also noticed at one point that Bernie took Ruth into another room, and Jeff Pyne later told Holly that his father was trying to calm Ruth down.

Jeff eventually did explain Ruth’s illness to Holly, but would not go into details with her often. When she asked, he would get emotional and cry about his mother’s illness, so she didn’t ask him about his mother very often.

At one point in the relationship, Jeff told Holly that his family did not support Jeff’s relationship with Holly because she did not share their religious beliefs. She did not consider herself to be a Christian. It bothered Jeff that his family did not support the relationship, but it did not keep him from continuing to see Holly. Jeff told Holly that this was the first time he had ever defied his mother.

Holly stated that she and Jeff dated for about a year before they began having a sexual relationship. She said that Ruth became aware that Jeff and Holly were having a sexual relationship. Ruth told Jeff that she was very disappointed in him. She also told Jeff that she didn’t believe Holly was a virgin.

Holly was upset that Jeff had admitted to his mother that she and Jeff were having sex, as she didn’t feel that it was Ruth’s business. She was also upset at Jeff for repeating the virgin remark, and told Jeff to “screw him and his mother.” She considered leaving Jeffrey at this time, but didn’t.

“Jeff broke down often over his mother”
Holly stated that Jeffrey Pyne was usually quiet and reserved, and would try to brush off the things that bothered him. However, these things often built up, and he would end up crying. This happened often when he was drinking. His tears were almost always about his mother. For example, there were times when he got upset that Ruth Pyne had hit Jeffrey or expressed anger over Jeff’s relationship with Holly.

Holly stated that Jeff loved his mother very much. At one time, she recalled him standing in her garage talking to her. At that time, Jeff told Holly that if he could take the illness away from his mother, he would.

Jeff’s constant emotional turmoil was too much for Holly to handle, as it affected her. She told Jeff that she wasn’t sure she could handle it anymore. She told him to “man up or she would leave him.” After that, Jeff talked less about his mother, and cried less.

Holly stated that it upset Jeff that his mother did not take her medicines. Jeff also told Holly that Ruth was storing knives in the headboard of her bed.

There were also times when Jeff expressed to Holly that he had concern for his sister Julia. Ruth was homeschooling Julia, and had homeschooled Jeff in the past. Holly told Jeff that Ruth should not be homeschooling Julia, or even be alone with her.

Jeff told Holly that his mother had been violent towards him. One time, Ruth hit Jeff in the face when she was convinced that Jeff had stolen her debit card. Jeff also told Holly that in 2010, Bernie was “provoking Ruth” about her not taking medication, and she spit in his face. Jeff went into the room and told his mom to “just take your damn medicine” and Ruth then got up out of the bed and attacked Jeff. This is when Ruth was jailed and hospitalized. Holly believed that Ruth was institutionalized 2-3 times during their relationship.

Bernie Pyne considers divorcing Ruth
Some time in 2010, Jeff Pyne started mentioning to Holly that Bernie Pyne was going to be divorcing Ruth. Holly believed that Jeff supported the idea of divorce because Ruth kept going through the same cycle and not improving. .

Jeff told Holly that Bernie was moving money into different accounts so that Ruth would not get any of the money if they divorced. Holly believes that Bernie put about $14,000 in each of Jeff’s and Julia’s bank accounts.

Jeff wanted to move out, but his father kept promising that he would get a divorce. Jeff became more frustrated as his father would not go through with the divorce. When Jeff would ask Bernie about the divorce, he would get “screamed at.” Jeff often expressed frustration over his lack of control over the entire situation, including the fact that he couldn’t control whether Julia would home school, or whether or not Bernie would divorce Ruth.

Jeff told Holly that he was going to move out of his parents’ house if Bernie didn’t divorce Ruth by summer. He mentioned possibly using money which was in his account, which belonged to Bernie. However, both Jeff and Holly were concerned about that possibility since Bernie had a temper and would be angry if Jeff moved out and used the money.

Jeff and Holly spent most of their time at Holly’s house, as Jeff didn’t like being at his house. While they were together, if Jeff wasn’t at work or school, he was with Holly.

Holly and Jeff break up
Prosecutor Skrzynski asked Holly what happened in March 2011. At this point, Holly became very emotional and was unable to talk for a short while. Jeff’s lawyer objected several times, but the line of questioning was allowed to continue.

Holly testified that Jeff cheated on her in March 2011. She was so shocked at his lie, and felt that she could no longer trust him. He had lied so effortlessly to her, her family and her friends. He had looked into her eyes and created an entire elaborate story to cover his tracks. To her, Jeff was the perfect son and the perfect girlfriend and she felt totally shocked and betrayed by him.

Holly did not speak with Jeff for about a month. When they did meet in April, he did not look well. He was pale and thin and told her that he was miserable and depressed without her and had become physically sick over the breakup. Holly decided that she might forgive Jeff, as he made a bad mistake and she wanted to give him another shot.

After Holly and Jeff spoke, they started to slowly see each other again. However, Jeff knew that they were not officially a couple anymore, and that he would have to “jump through hoops” to get Holly back.

Ruth Pyne is killed
Jeff texted Holly “I love you” about 11:40 or 11:50 on May 27. She didn’t hear from him again until around 2:00 am on May 28, when Jeff called Holly from his aunt’s phone. At that time, Jeff told Holly: “I just wanted to tell you that I’m okay, my dad’s okay, and Julia’s ok.” He then paused and said “my mom is dead.”

Holly stated that Jeff was totally calm and was not crying. Most of the conversation was silence. She did ask Jeff “how?” as she thought that Ruth committed suicide. Jeff replied “they’re saying it’s homicide.”

On Saturday, May 28, Jeff came to Holly’s house around 8:00 pm. As soon as he got into the Freeman’s garage, Jeff got down on his knees and started crying. Holly took Jeff up to her room.

She was holding him when she noticed the bandages on his hands. She let go of him and asked “what’s that?” Jeff told Holly that his hands were caught in a pallet. Holly responded “that doesn’t look like a pallet could do that.”

At this point, the judge stated that it was time to stop for lunch. Holly Freeman will continue her testimony this afternoon.

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Bernie and Jeff Pyne’s former girlfriends talk more in student’s murder trial

JEFF PYNEDECEMBER 10, 2012
BY: DONNA GUNDLE-KRIEG

Holly Freeman, Jeffrey Pyne’s former girlfriend, continued to testify this afternoon in the murder trial against the former Christian school valedictorian. In addition, another girl that Jeff dated testified, as did the former girlfriend of Jeffrey Pyne's father Bernie.

Pyne, 22, is a University of Michigan biology student accused of murdering his mentally ill mother last year. Ruth Pyne had previously been violent towards Jeffrey and his younger sister Julia.

Jeffrey continues to maintain his innocence, and his family, friends and community support him.

Jeff’s former girlfriend continues her testimony
Holly Freeman, Jeffrey Pyne’s former girlfriend, continued testifying. Holly started the afternoon by talking about her conversation with Jeff when he came to her house on the night after his mother was murdered.

That night, Jeffrey told Holly that on the day of the murder, he had helped his mom put groceries away before leaving his house at 1:30 pm. He also told Holly that at one point during the day, Ruth was sitting in the house reading a book, and that Ruth was in her bedroom when Jeff left at 1:30 pm.

Jeff told Holly that he then went to Mrs. Needham’s house before going to work at Spicer’s. Jeff had told her before that he was doing transplanting work at Mrs. Needham’s, but she could not recall exactly which plants he mentioned transplanting. Jeff had previously indicated to Holly that he was wondering about Mrs. Needham, as he hadn’t seen her and she was supposed to be home by May 19.

That night, Holly questioned Jeff about his hand injuries, and told him that it did not look good that no one could verify his whereabouts when his hands had blisters. Jeff answered “I know.” Holly then asked him if he got into a fight or something with his mother, and Jeff replied “are you looking at me?” Holly said that Jeff looked at her as if to say “why would you think that?” However, Jeffrey did not answer her.

Holly told Jeff that he better call Mrs. Needham. He promised her that he would. She asked him to take off his bandages, and Jeffrey did not hesitate at all. He was not hiding his hands.

At Ruth Pyne’s funeral, Holly spoke to Jeff. She also continued to hang out with him after Ruth’s death, but it was more in a consoling friendship way, and they were no longer in a relationship. In addition, Holly’s parents expressed to Holly that if she was going to continue to see Jeff, she only see him when her parents were both home.

During this time period after his mother’s death, Jeff was way more talkative than he had ever been in their entire relationship. He was also excited about his new job. “Personally, I felt that he was mourning his mother, but in a different way than most,” Holly explained.

Holly made the decision to stop seeing Jeff when she was called to testify in front of the grand jury. She had previously told him before that she wanted minimal involvement in the case.

Cross-examination of Holly Freeman
James Champion, Jeff Pyne’s attorney, cross-examined Holly Freeman.

Holly stated that her father is Mark Freeman, Holly Township Treasurer. She estimated that it is about 15-20 minutes from the Pyne’s house to Freeman’s house. Holly is the general manager of Dairy Queen, and was attending OCC for a computer information degree. She is now attending U of M Flint for a more advanced degree.

Holly met Jeff on MySpace.com when she was about 19. They met in the parking lot at Cornerstone Church. On their first date, they went to the movies and got pizza.

Holly replied that when she went to the Pyne’s house for dinner, Ruth Pyne showed Holly some baby pictures of Jeff. At that dinner, Holly did not think that Ruth was mentally ill. She just thought that Ruth might be hyper because she was nervous to have Jeff’s girlfriend over for dinner.

While they were at a tavern in Fenton, Jeffrey told Holly that his mother was mentally ill. He explained further by saying that when she was sick, Ruth had a weird laugh, would talk under her breath, and would race up and down the stairs.

Holly explained to Champion that she told the grand jury that she “preferred a crier to an asshole.” She meant that many men take their anger out on others, but Jeff was sensitive and never got angry. In fact, Holly has hit Jeff a couple of times when she was angry, and he has never hit her back. In addition, Jeff told Holly that he did not ever physically hurt or strike Ruth Pyne, even when Ruth attacked him.

“So you wanted Jeff to ‘man up’ but not be too much of a man, right?” quipped Champion. Holly replied that it wasn’t the crying that bothered her. It was the depth of Jeff’s emotion that she couldn’t handle.

Holly stated that she thought that Bernie Pyne was a jerk, because he was very hard on Jeff and Julia, and he had a temper. For example, Jeff told Holly that Julia would not practice piano in front of Bernie because Bernie was so critical of Julia.

Holly never heard of Ruth Pyne attacking Julia, other than one time Jeff told her that Ruth had raised her hand to Julia. At the time, either Bernie or Jeff walked in the room to stop Ruth from hitting Julia.

Jeff and Holly were both busy, but found time to date because Jeff could come and go as he pleased while working at Mrs. Needham’s house. Jeff told Holly that Mrs. Needham had left him a list of jobs while she was on vacation, including priming the basement.

Holly stated that during their entire relationship, she never saw or heard of Jeff driving around with any alcohol in the car.

Holly thought Bernie Pyne may have killed Ruth
Holly told Champion that she originally thought that Bernie Pyne killed Ruth. Holly thought this because she knew that Bernie wanted Ruth out of his life, and because Jeff had told Holly that Bernie didn’t want to pay alimony.

Holly also knew that Bernie was seeing another woman, as Jeff had told her about a time when Bernie was in M59-West Bar with his lady friend, and Ruth found out about it and confronted him.

Holly told Champion that Bernie had called Jeff the night after the murder while Jeff was at Holly’s house. After he took the call, Jeffrey told Holly that his dad asked him to go to his house and pick up medicine for Julia, who was staying with her dad at relatives’ house. Jeff left for a short while and returned. At the time, Holly thought that it was a strange request from Bernie, and did not think it was a good idea for Jeff to go back to his house.

Holly told Champion that before the murder, she felt that things were going well with Jeffrey, and that they had a good chance of getting back together.

Holly met several of Jeff’s extended relatives for the first time at the funeral when she was standing next to him.

“You don’t know who killed Ruth Pyne, do you?” finished Champion.

“No, sir, I do not,” replied Holly Freeman.

Tonya Moore testifies
Tonya Moore, 23, first met Jeffrey Pyne in class at the University of Michigan-Flint in September 2010. They were in two classes and two labs together, and they also realized that they lived just a mile apart from each other.

Tonya carpooled to school with Jeffrey for a few weeks. Around the beginning of October, Jeffrey and Tonya went on a date to a bowling alley. Shortly after that, Tonya ended the carpool arrangement because Jeff wanted things to be more serious, and she just wanted a friendship. Jeff never spoke to Tonya about a girlfriend. In fact, he told Tonya that he did not have a girlfriend.

While Tonya and Jeffrey were driving together, they discussed Ruth Pyne. Jeff told Tonya that Ruth Pyne was bipolar and did not take her medication, which caused problems. Jeff also told Tonya that it was tough living with his mother. Tonya suggested to Jeff that he move out, but Jeff expressed concern over leaving his sister Julia with his mother.

In November 2010, Tonya hadn’t seen Jeff in class for a couple of weeks. She called him to see if everything was okay. Jeff told Tonya that he wasn’t attending class because things were tough at home. Jeff also mentioned to Tonya that he was relieved that his father was going to divorce his mother.

James Champion then asked Tonya Moore if she knows who killed Ruth Pyne. She replied that no, she did not know.

Bernie Pyne’s former girlfriend testifies
Renee Ginell took the stand next. Renee was married to a man who was bipolar. Renee was separated from him for several years, and they divorced in 2011.

Renee Ginell was managing a health supplement store when Bernard Pyne would come into the store as a customer. They had many conversations, and realized that they had a lot in common regarding their mentally ill spouses. They became great friends and had a lot of fun together. At one time, when Ruth was hospitalized, Bernie was desperate for a babysitter, so Renee came over for a couple of hours to watch Julia.

Towards the end of 2009, Bernard and Renee started going out together for drinks, motorcycle rides, etc. Around the fall of 2010, they took their relationship to the next level, and towards the end of 2010 they started a sexual relationship. Renee remembers that all this happened close to the time when Renee was let go from her job due to the economy.

During the holidays of 2010, Bernie himself delivered divorce papers to Renee’s husband without disclosing their relationship. Bernie told Renee that he had discussed divorce with Ruth, and that he planned to serve Ruth with divorce papers in January 2011. Bernie told Renee that after the divorce, Ruth was going to move in with her father in Florida.

In January 2011, Bernie helped Renee obtain a security job at General Motors through his sister Gayle, who was a security director at GM. Renee started working in Wixom, and then transferred to the Proving Grounds where Bernie worked.

In mid-January 2011, Bernie and Renee met at the Best Western Hotel in Hartland. They were going to eat at M59-West Bar/Restaurant in Highland, and planned to return to the hotel after dinner. While they were drinking, Renee noticed a mother and child come in and sit down. A few minutes later, this lady approached the table and Renee realized that it was Ruth.

Ruth Pyne greeted her husband and asked who Renee was. Julia was sitting at the next table. Renee was shocked to see that Ruth was beautiful, composed and well-dressed. She had pictured Ruth to be catatonic, and thought that Ruth was not allowed to be alone with Julia.

After Ruth left, Bernie turned to her and said “wow that was awkward, but it was bound to happen sooner or later.” Renee "chugged"her drink and left the bar. Bernie chased Renee out of the bar and tried to calm the situation. Renee got into her car, and Bernie got in next to her. She drove Bernie back to his car without talking to him. Renee was very angry at the situation, and left Bernie at his car in the hotel parking lot. Renee told Bernie that she wanted to be far away from him and from the situation.

In the future days, Bernie sent some nasty texts to Renee, stating that he was upset that Renee had used him. After awhile, Bernie calmed down and they continued to text back and forth. On Valentine’s Day, Bernie sent her a dozen roses.

Around that time, Renee’s father developed leukemia and was very sick before he died. Therefore, Renee was pre-occupied, and didn’t care about Bernie at that time.

When Renee heard about the murder in May, she and her sons became very concerned that Bernie had killed Ruth. However, Renee did not think Bernie was capable of murder.

After the murder, Bernie continued to try to communicate to Renee, but she was advised by the police to discontinue communications with him. Renee Ginell then asked Bernie Pyne to stop texting and calling her, and he did.

Cross-examination of Bernie Pyne’s girlfriend
Renee Ginell told Jeff’s attorney, James Champion, that she no longer works at the GM Proving Grounds.

Renee also told the court that her ex-husband was an alcoholic in addition to being bipolar. Her husband was violent, and was convicted of a domestic violence felony against Renee several years ago. In that instance, Renee almost lost her life.

Renee has three children, ages 22, 20 and 17. Renee’s oldest son is also bipolar, and had to be committed after pulling a knife on his brother. He was also committed previously for heroin addiction.

Renee would not let her bipolar son live with her after the second time he was released from the hospital. At the time, her son is living and working with his father.

Prosecutor Skrzynski objected to Champion asking about Renee’s son, and asked the relevance of his questioning. Champion replied that his client is being charged with the most serious of crimes, and one defense is that police did not research any other possible suspects, including Renee’s son.

Renee told Champion that her children really liked Bernie, but after the murder they became very paranoid and did not want to see Bernie ever again. They were with their dad at the time the murder coverage was on television, and called her from their cell phones concerned for her safety.

When she was in need, Bernard helped Renee out with bills, car repairs etc She thinks that Bernie gave her about $3,000 - $5,000. Bernie also helped Renee fix things around the house.

Renee met Jeff a couple of times, and heard a lot about him. She thought that Jeffrey was very nice and attentive. She also felt that Bernie and Ruth must have done something right while raising Jeffrey, since Jeff went to school and did so well compared to her own sons, who struggled.

The trial was adjourned for the day, and there will be a half day of court tomorrow.

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Published: Friday, January 11, 2013

By DAVE PHILLIPS
Of The Oakland Press

A Highland Township murder case that garnered substantial national attention will be featured on the CBS crime series "48 Hours" this weekend.

The show, scheduled to air at 10 p.m. Saturday on CBS, will focus on the Jeffrey Pyne case. Pyne was recently found guilty of second-degree murder in his mother Ruth Pyne's death and will be sentenced later this month.

The episode is titled "The Perfect Family" and will feature interviews with Ruth Pyne's sister and investigators.

Bernie Pyne — Ruth Pyne's husband and Jeffrey Pyne's father — was also interviewed for the show. He has maintained his son's innocence throughout the trial and after the verdict was read.

"The boy didn't do it," Bernie Pyne said during an interview for the show, according to a press release.

"My son would never harm his mother. They have this wrong. The police make mistakes and this is a mistake."

Investigators said Jeffrey Pyne, fed up with his living conditions at home, attacked his 51-year-old mother in the garage of their Highland Township home. Pyne was accused of hitting his mother in the head several times with a two-by-four, cracking her skull, before turning her over and stabbing her several times in the neck.

Multiple witnesses described the death as "overkill" while testifying during trial.

Oakland County Sheriff's Office Detective Sgt. Greg Glover, who testified at trial, told the show that Ruth Pyne's death involved rage.

"We felt it was something that was personal," Glover said.
"Nobody knows what goes on behind closed doors and in someone's home. The family was not the family it appeared to be."

Pyne is scheduled to be sentenced at 3 p.m. Jan. 29 by Oakland County Circuit Judge Leo Bowman

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I didn't follow this trial, heard a little of it on NG but did see 48 Hours last night. I'm not convinced that the son killed his Mom but it had to be either him or the Dad. I also wondered if the son isn't a bit mental too, he's at the age for mental illness to come on if he inherited the gene from his Mom. What a sad case.

Very sad. I was not convinced he killed his mother until I heard/read his ex gf's testimony..Plus, he had all those marks/wounds on his hands. MOO.

Well that's true, re: wounds on his hands, I had forgotten about those. His ex gf just said that he had cheated on her and lied about it, that sounds like a normal male in that situation so I didn't really pay attention to that. VERY sad story. It sounds like he really went thru' too much with his Mother and then to be so close to his little sister. Just sad all the way around.

Raine, I didn't watch 48 hours so don't know how much they discussed the ex's testimony..but did post it upthread. That's when I really got suspicious..not the cheating part..his demeanor after his mother was murdered is what got to me and made me wonder.

I didn't read about the gf up thread but did see it on 48 Hours. Yes, they did say his demeanor upon notifying him that his Mother had been murdered was strange. He didn't ask questions and I agree, that's weird. He probably did do it now that I think about it.

Published: Tuesday, January 29, 2013
By DAVE PHILLIPS
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]; Twitter: @dave_phillips1




A Highland Township man convicted of second-degree murder in the beating and stabbing death of his mother has been sentenced to 20 to 60 years in prison.

Jeffrey Pyne was found guilty last month after a weeks-long trial that garnered national attention from national television programs 48 Hours, Nancy Grace and Good Morning America, among others.

Oakland County Circuit Judge Leo Bowman noted that most other defendants he sentences “pale in comparison” to Pyne, who was valedictorian of his high school and recognized as one of WXYZ-TV’s “Best and Brightest” students. However, that did not affect his sentence.

“Those that are low are held to the law,” Bowman said. “Those that may not have had opportunities are held to the law, and so too are those that have had that opportunity. Even though Mr. Pyne is a very intelligent young man ... (and) he’s had numerous opportunities, the law holds him to the same standard.”

Pyne addressed the court briefly before sentencing and maintained his innocence.

“I continue to and will always maintain my innocence in this crime,” he said.

“I hope and have faith that one day the truth will be known and I will be acquitted.”

Pyne, who at times appeared to be choking back tears, thanked his family and supporters.

“I ask that you consider the facts presented at trial, a complete absence of evidence that connects me to this crime. My family — especially my father and sister — want and need me home so we can begin to move on and heal from this tragedy.”

Pyne, who was charged with first-degree murder but found guilty of a lesser charge of second-degree murder, was accused of hitting his mother, Ruth Pyne, in the head several times with a two-by-four before turning her over and stabbing her several more times in the neck.

The incident occurred in the garage of the family home on May 27, 2011.

Four members of Pyne’s family also asked for leniency in sentencing.

“The jury rendered its verdict,” Pyne’s father, Bernie Pyne, said.

“However, nobody knows who killed my wife. I ask for leniency in sentencing so my family can begin to be put back together.”

Bowman said he received “numerous” letters and cards from around the country, most of which were in support of Pyne, and “98 percent of which” argued that there was a lack of evidence to convict him.

“Twelve jurors in this case heard the evidence that was presented against Mr. Pyne,” he said.

“They were convinced, beyond a reasonable doubt, that Mr. Pyne committed the offense which they found him guilty of.”

Bowman said he disagreed that there was a lack of evidence, noting particularly the time frame in which the crime must have been committed.

“Crucial in this case was that the window of opportunity for any other individual to have committed this offense was approximately 45 minutes to an hour,” Bowman said.

“The jurors in this case were satisfied with the people’s theory that no other person entered the house in this case and committed the offense. They were satisfied that it was Mr. Pyne. I can’t say that the jury was wrong.”

Bowman said he did not see any reason to be lenient.

“Mrs. Pyne was brutally murdered,” he said.

“One may never know just exactly what went on in this home at the minutes and at the hour that (Ruth Pyne was killed), what went on to give rise to this.

“(Jeffrey Pyne) could assist the court in determining whether or not some leniency, some compassion, some departure away from the recommended sentencing in this case is appropriate, but there simply is not — there is absolutely nothing on the record surrounding what gave rise in the final moments of the victim’s life that would warrant this court to deviate from the sentencing recommendations.

“The victim was brutally beaten, stabbed 16 times, and left to die. That’s what the record is.”

Bowman said Pyne presents a danger to society.

“I believe, until Jeffrey acknowledges his role in this crime and finds a way to deal with the anger and rage that caused him to do such a horrible act, it is not safe for him to be free.”

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Jeffrey Pyne, convicted of killing mother: I will 'always maintain my innocence'

By Gus Burns | [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
on January 29, 2013 at 6:48 PM Print

PONTIAC — Jeffrey Pyne, 22, maintains he did not beat his mother Ruth Pyne with a blunt, edged object or stab her in the neck 16 times with a knife inside the garage of the Pyne family's home in Highland Township on May 27, 2011.

A jury of twelve unanimously ruled otherwise, finding the University of Michigan biology student guilty of second-degree murder on Dec. 18.

On Tuesday, Jeffrey Pyne was sentenced to between 20 and 60 years in prison. He has the option to appeal, a process which his Jeffrey Pyne's father, Bernard Pyne, said has already been set in motion.

Prior to accepting his sentence, Jeffrey Pyne sat in the jury box, shackled and wearing an orange jail jumpsuit. He seemed nervous as he awaited his fate. When a courtroom camera zoomed in on the convict, his jail shirt appeared to quiver as if he were shaking slightly beneath.

Pyne broke down emotionally, grimacing and crying when his father read a victim statement written by his 12-year-old sister Julia.

She said she wanted her brother to come home.

This is what Jeffrey Pyne said Oakland County Circuit Judge Leo Bowman prior to learning his sentence:

First of all I want to thank my family and all of my supporters for their love and encouragement and belief in me throughout this entire ordeal. I love you all and I look forward to the day we are again back together.

Next I want to address the court by saying I continue and will always maintain my innocence to this crime. I hope and have faith that one day the truth will be made known and I will be acquitted.

However, your honor, I do realize that because I was convicted you must sentence me and I accept this as a duty of the court. I do, however, ask you for... compassion in my sentencing. In doing so considering that I have no previous criminal record, no history of violence, that I was a productive member of society attending the University of Michigan, maintaining two jobs.

Finally, I ask that you would consider the facts presented in the trial and the complete absence of evidence that connects me to this crime. My family, especially my father and my sister, want and need me home so we can begin and move on from this tragedy. They have suffered from my imprisonment and the loss of my mother, just as I have suffered and will continue to suffer. And so you honor, one of the greatest displays of justice can be the act of showing mercy. And I ask you for that mercy now, not just for me but for my family, as my sentence directly affects them.

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What a sad, sad case this is. That poor Dad, little sister and Grandma! I feel horrible for the horrific way that Mom died too. I wonder if she did something that just made that kid flip. There are no winners in this.