Crime & Safety

Key Witness in Clinton Twp. Murder Trial Arrested in Macomb for Indecent Exposure

Tonina Borgia's arrest left her unable to testify in the murder trial of her 63-year-old mother, leading a judge to declare a mistrial in the case.

A Macomb County Circuit judge declared a second mistrial Wednesday in the murder case of a Clinton Township grandmother accused of drowning her 4-year-old grandson after a key witness in the case was arrested this week for indecent exposure, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Tonina Borgia, 27, was slated to testify in the trial of her mother, 63-year-old Terry Borgia, who is facing a charge of first-degree premeditated murder in the 2010 death of her grandson, DeAngelo Tobia. However, a mistrial was declared Wednesday after the judge learned of Tonina Borgia’s arrest and subsequent inability to testify, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Tonina Borgia was charged Monday with indecent exposure and trespassing after she exposed her breasts while in the backyard of a Macomb Township home. She was previously arrested on July 29 for assaulting a police officer in Macomb Township, the Detroit Free Press reports.

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She is currently being held in Macomb County Jail on a $7,500 bond and is scheduled to undergo a psychiatric evaluation, Terry Borgia's court-appointed attorney told the Detroit Free Press.

It is unknown at this time when the case will resume.

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