Teens sentenced in Westland double homicide over drugs

WESTLAND, Mich. (WJBK) - Three teens charged with the deaths of two men in Westland received their sentences Wednesday.

Taylor resident Dominik Charleston, 19, was charged with two counts of felony murder, two counts of armed robbery, and one count of felony firearm.

Kobi Taylor, 19, was charged with two counts of felony murder, two counts of armed robbery, and one count of felony firearm and is being held without bond.

Taylor resident Amber Tackett, 17, was charged with two counts of felony murder, and two counts of armed robbery and one count of felony firearm.

The victims were 35-year-old Howard Wick of Westland and 19-year-old Jordan Baker of Wayne, whose bodies were found in February near Treadwell and Noreen streets after an apparent drug deal.

Family members of the victims had the opportunity to speak during the proceeding, and read their final statements before the sentence was delivered.

"Not only have you destroyed my life, but the family of Jordan and your family also. At least your family will be able to see you," said Howard Wick's mother, Sue Barner. "Your honor, please don't ever let them out as long as they shall live."

Then, Jordan's mother spoke.

"His loss has left an enormous absence in our lives. I wake up to a sense of panic daily. There's a heaviness in my chest and sinking pain in my gut," she said, the paper with her words trembling in her hands.

Next was Jordan's grandfather, who was hardly able to speak through tears. He spoke of how happy and loved Jordan was, and how his funeral had the biggest turnout the funeral home had ever seen.

"I wish they had the death penalty, so I could watch you two die," he said.

Howard's sister also had a chance to speak.

"He was the kind of person anyone would love to have as friend. Howard had a heart as big as the world. His life was finally coming together," she said. "I constantly ask God why Howard's life had to come to an end."

Charleston was automatically sentenced to life without parole and is said to be remorseful.

Taylor was sentenced to no less than 65 years and no more than 95 years at the department of corrections.

Tackett was sentenced to 5 to 20 years for her lesser role in the murders. It's she, the judge says, that will likely have to pay all of the thousands of dollars in restitution owed to these families.