Cass County murder case solved after 16 years

Special to the Gazette

CASSOPOLIS -- A 16-year-old murder case that resulted in a hung jury earlier this year has been solved.

Michael Dunnuck entered a guilty plea Monday in Cass County Circuit Court of second-degree murder for the 1990 shooting death of Michael Whitaker, who was 42 when he was killed in Pokagon Township. The plea was accepted.

A trial in March ended in a hung jury and mistrial. A second trial for Dunnuck had been scheduled for Sept. 19.

According to Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz, Dunnuck, 34, admitted getting into an argument with Whitaker on March 7, 1990, while at Whitaker's trailer at 3136 M-51 near Dowagiac.

Dunnuck said he grabbed a gun and shot Whitaker once. Authorities found Whitaker the next day with a bullet wound through the forehead.

``This ... (guilty plea) brings closure for a family who waited many years for this day,'' Fitz said.

Coins and silver bars were reported as missing from Whitaker's trailer. The items have not been located.

The case was reopened by the Michigan State Police, Niles Post. During the investigation, State Police Detective Fabian Suarez and Trooper Matt Acterberg found several people who said they heard Dunnuck confess to the murder. Among those who gave statements were an ex-wife and former girlfriend.

Those statements, coupled with evidence from the original investigation, led to charges against Dunnuck.

``The Michigan State Police never relented,'' Fitz said. ``Suarez was not going to rest until Whitaker's murderer was brought to justice.''

As part of the agreement, Dunnuck will receive a maximum 25 years in prison and will not be charged with perjury-related offenses related to the case. Sentencing is set for 8:30 a.m. Sept. 15 before Cass County Circuit Judge Michael Dodge.