Defendant Bound Over for Trial After Emotional Testimony in Deadly Road Rage

Amy Flemming, the widow of a man shot in a deadly road-rage conflict last summer, offered emotional testimony at a hearing in Livingston County Circuit Court hearing Friday, saying her husband “fell like a marionette puppet having its strings cut” when he was shot by another motorist.

Howell District Judge Carol Sue Reader bound Martin Edward Zale, 69, over for trial on open murder and related firearms charges at the conclusion of his preliminary examination, The Detroit News, the Detroit Free Press and WJBK-TV report.

Derek Flemming, 43, of Osceola Township collapsed on the highway at Grand River Avenue at the Chilson Road intersection, west of Howell, after he was shot on the afternoon of Sept. 2. When the two motorists were stopped at a traffic signal, Derek Flemming confronted Zale for allegedly cutting him off in traffic and then tailgating.

Zale has claimed he acted in self-defense. His attorney, Melissa Pearce, previously said the defendant had “every right to stand his ground” and has evidence, which has not been disclosed, to support the claim.

During her testimony Friday, Amy Flemming said she knew instantly her husband was dead, though she could feel his heart still beating as she placed her hand over it.

“Don’t go … I need you,” she recalled pleading. “Your children need you.”

Related:

• Little Girl’s Heartbreaking Discovery after Her Daddy is Killed in Road Rage
• Driver Shoots Another in Apparent Road Rage
• Attorney Arguing Self-Defense in Deadly Road Rage: ‘Whole Story Has Not Been Heard’
• Report: Defendant, Victim Both Had History of Road Rage

Several relatives seated in the gallery of the courtroom wiped tears from their eyes as Amy Flemming testified. She said Zale stared out of his truck looking “cold stone faced.” The two did not speak.

Also testifying Friday was Livingston County Sheriff’s Deputy Ray Marino, who said Zale admitted to shooting Flemming.“When I went toward him, he said he was trying to get a hold of his attorney,” said Marino, who handcuffed Zale and put him in his patrol car.

Another officer testified that he recovered a holstered 9mm Ruger handgun in the console of Zale’s truck.

Zale, who is being held in the Livingston County Jail without bond, will be arraigned in Circuit Court, likely within a couple of weeks.

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Screenshot: WJBK-TV video