Exam delayed for cop charged with interfering at crash
A preliminary exam has been delayed for a Detroit police officer charged with interfering in a January car crash.
The hearing for Jerold Blanding, who appeared Wednesday for a probable cause conference in 36th District Court, was rescheduled from April 23 to May 8.
Blanding, who has been with the Detroit department for 24 years, is charged with three counts of firearm possession while under the influence, eight counts of resisting and obstructing the police, and six counts of felony firearm.
According to authorities, Blanding showed up at the scene of the crash Jan. 14 on the 12900 block of Puritan on the city’s west side because he knew the victim. Officers spoke with Blanding and found that his speech was slurred and that he smelled of intoxicants.
Police allegedly discovered three handguns in his possession, and said Blanding “resisted and obstructed the police” as they tried to help the crash victim.
Blanding had been placed on restricted duty with a non-gun status as a result of an investigation into the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Raynard Burton on Feb. 13, 2017.
In December, the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office determined that Blanding exercised lawful self-defense and would not be charged in the shooting.
Blanding was arraigned April 11 in 36th District Court and given a $50,000 personal bond.
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