Christopher Dankovich

Case record: Christopher Dankovich

People

• Christopher Dankovich — defendant; 15-year-old Rochester Hills teenager when he stabbed his mother to death
• Diane Michele — victim; 50-year-old mother of Christopher Dankovich; psychotherapist; certified hypnotherapist; master’s degree in counselling; ran the HeartLight Metaphysical Centre in nearby Birmingham
• James Dankovich — Christopher Dankovich’s father; divorced from Diane Michele; a chiropractor who lived in Troy and was remarried with a young daughter
• Mitchell Ribitwer — defense attorney for Christopher Dankovich
• Lisa Ortlieb Gorcyca — Assistant Oakland County Prosecutor
• John J. McDonald — Oakland County Circuit Judge
• Nancy Tolwin Carniak — District Court Judge
• Michael J. Bouchard — Oakland County Sheriff
• Bradley Bannon — Richfield Township police chief
• Deborah Carley — chief deputy prosecutor
• Dennis Finney — Detective
• Kelly Chard — Assistant Oakland County Prosecutor
• David Gorcyca — Oakland county prosecutor
• James Elliott — Bloomfield Hills-based attorney for Diane Michele (divorce attorney mentioned)
• Elaine and Nick Palmer — parents of Diane Michele
• Dean (Susan) Palmer — brother of Diane Michele (as written: “brother Dean (Susan) Palmer”)
• Diann Flack — principal of Adams High School
• Brandon Busuito — Adams senior
• Rachel Long — Adams senior

Timeline

• August 1995 — Diane Michele filed for divorce from James Dankovich.
• 1996 — Diane Michele’s divorce was finalized.
• 2000 — Diane Michele moved to the home on Palm Aire Drive.
• May 20, 1989 — Christopher Dankovich and Diane Michele were married (as written).
• Oct. 23, 1989 — Christopher Dankovich was born.
• April 24, 2005 — Christopher Dankovich stabbed Diane Michele to death with a small knife; Diane Michele was stabbed 111 times inside their home near Tienken and Adams roads.
• April 25, 2005 — Diane Michele’s body was found the next morning; Christopher Dankovich was arrested later that day at his family’s cabin in St. Helen; Christopher waived a right to a preliminary examination and remained held without bond in a juvenile detention center.
• April 27, 2005 — A confrontation over Internet pornography and home-made weaponry preceded an attack in which Diane Michele was stabbed more than 100 times; Christopher was charged as an adult with open murder; additional details about the scene and arrest were described.
• April 28, 2005 — Details about the attack, searches, and confrontation were published.
• November 16, 2005 — Christopher Dankovich waived his right to a preliminary examination.
• February 10, 2006 — Christopher Dankovich pleaded guilty to murder; sentencing was set for March 6.
• March 13, 2006 — Christopher Dankovich withdrew his guilty plea after a judge rejected a plea deal.
• May 1, 2006 — Christopher Dankovich was sentenced to 25 to 37 years in prison.
• May 2, 2006 — Additional reporting on sentencing and parole eligibility appeared.

Background

Christopher Dankovich stabbed his mother, Diane Michele, to death and later apologized for what he did, saying that he was not a violent person. He was represented by defense attorney Mitchell Ribitwer. Prosecutors were described as having long asserted that they had a strong case and that the defendant faced a mandatory life sentence without parole if convicted of first-degree murder.

Earlier life details were included about family relationships and upbringing. The parents’ divorce was described: Diane Michele filed for divorce in August of 1995, and it was finalized a year later; the divorce split was described as amicable, and they had a relationship that emphasized “the best interest of the child.” Initial court filings showed Michele accused her husband of physical and verbal abuse. The court records were described as showing that, after the divorce, Christopher’s mother changed her name from a maiden name of Diane O’Connor to Diane Michele. While both parents sought custody initially, Michele received physical custody with visitation allowed with his father. In August of 2000, Michele moved to the home on Palm Aire Drive.

Several mental health and belief-system details were presented at sentencing. Earlier testimony from a psychologist indicated that the boy believed he was on a mission from God to protect children. When his mother tried to discipline him for his homemade weapons, intended for abortionists and child pornographers, he lashed out at her. Dankovich told the judge:

• “I’d prefer to not have to talk about it. ... Everything went wrong.” He also said he felt horrible about what happened.

The judge noted receiving a letter that Ribitwer said alleged emotional abuse by Michele as a factor in shaping Dankovich’s mind; the judge did not say who sent it. The judge addressed the boy’s father during sentencing and later spoke to him privately at the bench.

The offence

Victim and method

Diane Michele, 50, was stabbed to death. She was stabbed 111 times with a small knife. Authorities described that the stabbing involved areas including the back, chest, head, heart, face and eyes. Chief deputy prosecutor Deborah Carley said:

• “It was just about everywhere. She was stabbed in the back, chest, head, heart, face and eyes,”
• “She also had blunt-force trauma to her head.”

The account included that the judge later described the crime as including “stabbing out her eyes,” and emphasized the number of stab wounds.

Scene details

The body was found the next morning after the stabbing. Multiple scene details were described:

• Michele was partially covered by a tarp in the foyer of her home.
• A blue-handled folding knife with blood and hair on it was found outside.
• Bloody clothes were found in the laundry room.
• Blood droplets were found in the home and blood in sinks.
• The missing items and missing location included that Christopher was missing and Michele’s white Chevrolet Astro van with the vanity plate “LOVE 4 U” was missing.
• It was described that Michele’s mother found the body in the foyer of the home at about 8 a.m. (as written).

Trigger and confrontation details

A confrontation with his mother over Internet pornography and home-made weaponry preceded the attack. Authorities said Michele had discovered that her son was using the Internet to look at pornography and learn how to make weapons. It was described that Michele had found a gun made out of PVC pipe filled with gunpowder and marbles, took it away, and gave it to the boy’s father, James Dankovich of Troy, Michigan.

Prosecutors and investigators were described as lacking a clear motive at the time. Oakland county prosecutor David Gorcyca was quoted:

• “That’s the million-dollar question,”
• “What motivated a 15-year-old who was otherwise a well-behaved child to butcher his mom? This investigation is far from complete. There has to be something in this boy's background for him to commit such an angry crime.”

Debate about the defendant’s mind and beliefs were central to the insanity-related arguments. The defense portrayed the defendant as believing he was on a mission from God, attempting to stop abortionists and pornographers and to save children. Defense attorney Mitchell Ribitwer quoted this view:

• “Chris, in his mind, was basically on a mission from God,”
• “He believed in a higher authority. His mother was not going to stand in his way. He was attempting to stop the abortionists. He was attempting to stop the pornographers. He wanted to save children.”

Ribitwer also described a key insanity component:

• “That, Ribitwer continued, showed a substantial disorder of thought, a key component of insanity in the criminal justice system.”
• “He didn't have the ability to conform or modify his conduct,” Ribitwer said.

Arrest context and flight

Christopher fled to his father’s northern Michigan cottage/cabin and was arrested with survival gear. One account described that he indicated he had planned to drive south and go into hiding and that he knew authorities were there to arrest him because of his mother’s murder, according to Detective Dennis Finney during a hearing in which he swore to the warrant against Christopher.

Richfield Township police chief Bradley Bannon described efforts to locate and secure the area. Bannon said police spotted Michele’s van and set up watch. Three hours later, supplied with a cell phone number from Oakland County detectives, Richfield police tried calling Christopher; when he didn’t answer, they approached the house with a bullhorn. Bannon said:

• “He did come out of the house and surrender,”
• “It was the best outcome for us.”

The narrative included that the boy shaved his head at the cabin, cutting off hair he had recently dyed blue.

Investigation

Police began searching shortly after Michele’s grandmother found the body in the foyer of the home. The missing items included Michele’s van, described as a white 1999 Chevrolet Astro van with a personalized plate “LOVE4U,” according to sheriff’s deputies.

Sheriff Michael Bouchard was quoted describing the investigation and injuries:

• “There appears to be multiple stab wounds and we did find a knife or two in the area,”

Oakland County Sheriff Michael J. Bouchard also described checking every place investigators thought and asked for public help, quoted:

• “We're checking every place we think. We'd like the public's help if they see this guy,”

The investigation described concern that the teen may be a threat to himself or to others. The accounts described that deputies contacted officials in the area on a hunch that Christopher might have gone to the cabin.

Arrest

Christopher Dankovich was arrested at his family’s cabin in St. Helen / Richfield Township / Roscommon County after being located north of Rochester Hills. It was described that his arrest occurred at his family’s cabin in Roscommon County, more than 100 miles (and in one account, more than 160 km) to the north.

At least one narrative stated that he was brought back to Oakland County by a sheriff’s department helicopter for questioning in his mother’s death. Another narrative described that he was brought into custody without incident and did not have a license.

Trial / proceedings

Charges and adult prosecution

Christopher Dankovich was charged as an adult. A preliminary examination was scheduled and later waived. The account described a felony charge of murder and a charge related to using a computer to commit a crime. One account stated that he faced a March 27 preliminary examination on charges of murder and using a computer to commit a crime.

At a later preliminary-examination waiver, it was described that he had been charged as an adult with open murder. It was also described that he could face life in prison if convicted of first- or second-degree murder.

Preliminary examination waiver

On November 16, 2005, Christopher Dankovich waived his right to a preliminary examination. During his brief court appearance, District Court Judge Nancy Tolwin Carniak acknowledged that he agreed to waive the hearing. It was stated that Carniak did not set a date for the teenager’s circuit court arraignment and that it was expected later that month. Carniak did not set a date, but the defendant’s continued custody status was described as held without bond in a juvenile detention center.

Guilty plea and withdrawal

Christopher pleaded guilty to murder on February 10, 2006 under an agreement between his defense attorney and the Oakland County Prosecutor’s office, with a recommended prison sentence of 22 1/2 to 34 years. It was described that sentencing was set for March 6 and that Oakland County Circuit Judge John McDonald would review whether the agreement was acceptable.

On March 13, 2006, the defendant withdrew his guilty plea after the judge rejected the plea deal. Oakland County Circuit Court Judge John J. McDonald was quoted when rejecting the deal:

• “I feel a responsibility to society,”

Mitchell Ribitwer said he would use an insanity defense at trial. It was stated that the judge said a prison term of 22 1/2 to 34 years was too light for the crime.

Defense attorney Mitchell Ribitwer later explained that the decision to continue with the guilty plea to open murder—in which the judge found him guilty of second-degree, not premeditated—came from Dankovich. Ribitwer said:

• “He had a very good defense for not guilty by reason of insanity,”
• “Christopher made the final decision. He wanted to accept responsibility for his actions.” Ribitwer added:
• “Personally, I feel we should have gone to trial for a criminal responsibility issue. It's not my call.”

Court interactions and understanding of rights

At sentencing, the judge questioned the boy thoroughly about whether he understood his rights and what his sentence meant. Judge McDonald said:

• “This doesn't necessarily mean that you'll get out then,”
• “A lot will depend on your behavior while incarcerated”
• “and help received from mental health experts.”

In the earlier preliminary hearing context, Judge Nancy Tolwin Carniak asked Christopher if he understood he could receive life in prison if convicted; Christopher answered:

• “Yes, your honour.”

Sentencing

Sentence imposed

On May 1, 2006, Oakland County Circuit Judge John J. McDonald sentenced Christopher Dankovich to 25-to-37 years in prison (with one description stating 25-to-37 1/2 years in prison).

The accounts described that the judge rejected an earlier deal with a 22 1/2-year minimum term due to concerns about public safety once Dankovich is released. The accounts also described that the new minimum term meant he would not be eligible for parole until he is 40 years old.

Judge McDonald was described as “as satisfied as he could be” with the potential outcome after reviewing everything he could review:

• “I've reviewed everything I can review,”
• McDonald said.

Dankovich apologized and told the judge:

• “I'd just like to say how sorry I am for what I did,” He responded when asked how he felt:
• “I just feel sad. ... I feel nervous.”

Judge’s remarks

Judge McDonald spoke at length about frustration with why a boy who seemed a model student and citizen would commit a vicious crime, describing killing his mother with 111 stab wounds, including stabbing out her eyes. The judge said:

• “You were a fairly model student, no behavior problems at all,”
• “That's what concerns me. I just can't see any good reason for this.”

McDonald asked why, if he did it once, he would not do it again. Dankovich replied:

• “I'm not a violent person,” and McDonald answered:
• “That's what makes this case so bizarre,” McDonald answered back.

The judge also stated about treatment:

• the judge discussed at length what kind of treatment Dankovich will receive, noting he could only strongly suggest it and not order it.

The judge said:

• “You're a young man, and I feel really sorry for you,”
• “I hope you get the help you need.”

When Dankovich thanked the judge before being led from court:

• “Thank you, your honor,”

Parole eligibility and incarceration placement

It was described that Dankovich would not be eligible for parole until he is 40. The judge stated: and that behavior and help from mental health experts would matter.

The judge described housing plans: initially, Dankovich would be housed with other minors, and then he would move to the adult population after he turns 21.

Appeals

No appeals were described in the provided material.

Outcome

• Christopher Dankovich was sentenced to 25 to 37 years in prison on May 1, 2006.
• He was not eligible for parole until he was 40 years old (as described).
• The court proceedings included a guilty plea phase involving open murder and second-degree, not premeditated, but the later reporting also included that he withdrew his guilty plea after the judge rejected the plea deal.

Aftermath

Court and family support

During proceedings, friends and family gathered in Rochester Hills District Court Judge Nancy Tolwin Carniak’s courtroom. None spoke to the media. Ribitwer said:

• “He has excellent family support,”
• “He is still loved.”

One supporter yelled:

• “We love you, Chris.” The teenager responded softly:
• “I love you, too.”

School impacts

Adams High School students were sent home with letters updating parents on general information about the killing and subsequent arrest. Principal Diann Flack wrote:

• “This tragic event has caused great anxiety and sadness to our school and community,” and also stated that “heightened security was added in the building.”

Senior Brandon Busuito said:

• “It's a tragedy and we don't want to go overboard with it,” and “We're just trying not to start rumors.”

Senior Rachel Long said the word in school was that Christopher was quiet and described his hair and her reaction:

• “I don't understand what would possess someone to do that,”
• “It's really weird that someone in our school would do something like that.”

Funeral and survivors

Michele was survived by her son; parents Elaine and Nick Palmer; and brother Dean (Susan) Palmer. Visitation was described as being from 2-9 p.m. Friday at the Potere-Modetz Funeral Home, 339 Walnut Blvd., in Rochester. Her funeral was described as being at 1 p.m. Saturday at University Presbyterian Church, 1385 S. Adams Road in Rochester Hills.

Other details

Background signs and alleged prior incidents

The account described that while staying at his father’s Troy home on Saturday, Christopher cut a hole in the screen in his bedroom, tied sheets and clothing together, and climbed down to the ground; he then rode his bicycle to Bloomfield Hills where police caught him rattling the doors at St. Hugo of the Hills school on Hickory Grove. Police, believing the boy was a runaway, returned Christopher to his father’s home. James Dankovich took him to Michele’s home Sunday afternoon for a family meeting. Later Sunday, James Dankovich tried to call his ex-wife but could not reach her; he contacted Michele’s mother to check the house Monday morning, leading to discovery of the body.

Friends and family said there were no signs that the youth had violent tendencies. Ribitwer said:

• “I believe there are some mental health issues in this case,”
• “It's out of the blue. There's no explanation for it.”

Ribitwer said there were no signs either parent abused Christopher. He also said Michele was in the process of finding out about Dankovich making weapons, including homemade bombs, and that he did not believe she knew fully what was motivating him. Ribitwer said:

• “They didn't see it coming” of the family.

Divorce and family relationship details

It was described that Michele and her son argued about his girlfriend and his use of the computer, but authorities still lacked a clear motive for the slaying. It was also described that there was a gun made out of PVC pipe filled with gunpowder and marbles.

Housing and custody details

The narrative described that after a plea agreement was negotiated, the defendant would be turned over to the state department of corrections for placement. It was stated that “Generally, the Michigan Department of Corrections will house the population under 21 years of age with other people under 21,” but that there was “no guarantee” and that “They can place him anywhere in the state.”

Victim’s professional role and location

Michele ran the HeartLight Metaphysical Centre in Birmingham and was described as a certified hypnotherapist and a minister and social worker. One account described her home address as 3160 Palm Aire Drive in Rochester Hills.

Search and custody details

Sheriff’s deputies were described as taking Christopher into custody at his grandmother’s cabin in Roscommon County in northern lower Michigan. Another narrative described that police secured the area and approached with a bullhorn.