Woman accused of fatally shooting Burlington coworker bound over
(WJBK) - A woman accused of shooting and killing her coworker at a Burlington store in Taylor faced a judge Monday for a preliminary hearing.
Taylor resident Sandra Waller, 49, is charged with first-degree murder and felony firearm in the death of 49-year-old Lorraine Maylynn Faison of Allen Park. Police say on Oct. 16, the two women were arguing at the store in the 22300 block of Eureka Road when Waller shot Faison in the chest and killed her.
Four witnesses were called to the stand to determine whether there was enough evidence to continue the case, including a store employee and three Taylor police officers.
During her testimony, the store's assistant manager says she was alerted there was an issue going on in the store before it opened around 8:45 a.m. and took Waller into her office to discuss it.
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She says she did not see a firearm on Waller's hip at that time, but that associates are not allowed to bring a firearm into the work place. She decided to separate them in the store and have them stand in different areas, but that didn't work.
"I could hear that they had started yelling again so I told them to go home," she said.
The assistant manager said Waller felt that she was making her look bad by moving her to another department.
Next was a Taylor police officer who said he responded to the scene to find Waller at the door and compliant. He says he asked where the gun was, and she told him on her hip. He says at a later point, it was determined Waller is a valid CPL holder.
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Another Taylor police sergeant says he found Faison with an apparent gunshot wound to the center of her chest, and saw only one bullet and casing.
Arguing to reduce the charges from first-degree murder, the defense says a pair of scissors were found next to the body and that may be evidence Waller somehow acted in self-defense.
"There was clearly heat of passion between the parties," he said.
Defense says despite the store's policy, Waller had a right to be carrying a firearm.
Woman shoots and kills coworker at Burlington in Taylor, police say
"What has not been shown is that my client premeditated," he said.
However, the judge noted that Waller woke up that morning and decided to go to work with a gun. The case was bound over.
The victim's family has set up a GoFundMe account, click here if you would like to donate.
You can watch the full hearing on FOX 2 News Now with Kellie Rowe here: