The trial of Tucker Cipriano, 20, and Mitchell Young, 21, who face charges in a brutal attack on Tucker's family in Farmington Hills, begins Monday with jury selection.
Robert Cipriano was killed, and his wife, Rose, and son, Salvatore, were critically wounded in the early morning hours of April 16, 2012. Salvatore's twin brother, Tanner, and younger sister, Isabella, were not injured. Prosecutors contend that Tucker Cipriano and Young had been smoking synthetic marijuana and broke into the home to get money or anything they could sell.
Last week, news outlets reported that Oakland County prosecutor Jessica Cooper refused a request from some family members to strike a plea deal that would avoid what is likely to be a difficult and painful trial. WXYZ-TV reported that Rose Cipriano wrote a letter to Cooper asking for a "deal with a 40 to 50 year sentence".
Both men face a charge of first degree murder, which could results in sentences of life without parole. In a WDIV report, Cooper said there would be no deal in what she called the "most brutal and heinous attacks that I have seen in my lengthy career".
On Thursday, Judge Shalina Kumar ruled that only some of the graphic crime scene and autopsy photos will be shown at trial. An order was also filed last week limiting the number of media representatives in the courtroom and prohibiting media from broadcasting images of jurors and juvenile witnesses, although testimony of a young witness may be used if the voice is electronically altered.
Rose, Tanner and Isabella Cipriano have all been subpoenaed to testify.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
