After 27 years, a cold case murder from Pontiac, Michigan, has seen a breakthrough as authorities arrested a suspect in connection with the 1998 shooting death of 73-year-old Charles Barnett. ClickOnDetroit reports that Jack Anthony Young, a 45-year-old Indiana resident, was taken into custody on Monday, facing a charge of felony murder in Barnett’s killing.
Barnett was found dead in his home on Corwin Street after surprising an intruder who was in the act of burglarizing the property, according to the Oakland County Sheriff's Office investigations. Young allegedly shot Barnett, stole his vehicle, which he later crashed. Police responding to the crash found the vehicle led back to Barnett's residence, discovering his body.
Young, who was just 18 years old at the time of the crime, managed to elude capture until the case was reopened in 2020 by Sgt. Todd Hunt and retired Lt. Steve Troy of the Oakland County Sheriff's Office. As WXYZ suggests, a renewed investigation brought forth the evidence needed to link Young to the murder.
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard emphasized the persistence of his team in revisiting cold cases, stating, "We never give up on our pursuit of justice for the victims, the families and the community," and expressing the opportunity presented in holding the accused accountable after such a lengthy period, as per CBS News Detroit.
Young is currently being held in an Indiana jail ahead of extradition to Pontiac while Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald readies for the upcoming arraignment, she remarked on the indelible memory of the victim saying, per CBS News Detroit, "Charles Barnett was taken from his loved ones 27 years ago, but he was never forgotten" her sentiments underscore a concerted effort of procure justice which now inch closer to fruition with these recent developments.
