A Detroit man with a grudge is facing serious time after allegedly threatening to kill Arabs in a voicemail to his attorney, according to the Michigan Attorney General's Office. 53-year-old Walter Purvis, who was displeased with the outcome of a criminal case, was bound over for trial on charges of making a false report or threat of terrorism. He is also tagged as a habitual offender, which could land him life behind bars.
Dana Nessel, the state Attorney General, said in a statement obtained by The Detroit News, that racially motivated threats must be "investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the available laws." Purvis made several calls before leaving the concerning voicemail for his lawyer, based in Clinton Township, and now, faces a scheduled trial that carries heavy consequences for his alleged hate-fueled rhetoric.
During the preliminary examination on Tuesday, detailed by official statements, it was revealed that Purvis could be heard on the voicemail declaring a personal grievance with Arabs that emanated from his previous encounter with the law. The specifics surrounding the original criminal matter that ignited the discontent of Purvis have not been made public.
In her remarks, Nessel reiterated her commitment to working with the legislature to beef up the state’s hate crimes legislation, saying, "Michigan residents who are victims of hate crimes should not hesitate to contact my department’s Hate Crimes and Domestic Terrorism Unit." According to a report by CBS Detroit, Purvis, convicted three times prior, now faces the possibility of a life sentence or any number of years decided by the courts, due to his habitual offender status.
The next step in this legal drama unfolds on January 30, when Purvis is slated to appear in Macomb County Circuit Court for arraignment before Judge Julie Gatti. The entire community will be keeping a close eye on this case as it raises pressing issues about the intersection of racial animus and the law.
