Livingston County, MI: Testimony: Kiss Was Motive For Brutal Green Oak Murder

1/26/12 - Two men charged with murdering and mutilating a Lyon Township man appeared in court today and testimony indicated that the motive for the killing was a kiss. Brian Stafford and George Tanner, both 27, are charged with open murder and disinterment/mutilation of a body in the death of 40-year-old Christopher Townsend, who lived across the street from them in the Kensington Place manufactured home community. The prosecution presented three witnesses including two police officers and Tanner's then-girlfriend. She testified that Stafford and Tanner killed Townsend after he kissed her, burned his body out in the woods, showed her the victim’s car and admitted to the crime. Stafford and Tanner are alleged to have beaten Townsend with a pipe wrench and strangled him with a car seat belt before burning his remains and scattering them in Green Oak Township. The exam began this morning in 53rd District Court and continued until just before 5pm. The defense will present its witnesses when the hearing is continued next month. (JM/JK)