Closing Arguments Begin Thursday in Cipriano Murder, Assault Trial

Mitchell Young, who faces multiple charges in the brutal 2012 attack on the Cipriano family of Farmington Hills, may soon learn whether he will spend the rest of his life in prison.

Closing arguments began Thursday afternoon in Oakland County Circuit Court. Young faces a charge of felony murder in the death of Robert Cipriano, 52, and felony assault charges related to near-fatal attacks on Rose Cipriano, 51, and Salvatore Cipriano, 18.

Robert and Rose's oldest son, Tucker, 20, pleaded no contest last week to felony murder. He will be sentenced July 9.

Authorities say that on April 16, 2012, after smoking a form of synthetic marijuana known as K2 or Spice, the two men broke into the Cipriano home looking for money or items to sell for money to buy more drugs. They are accused of beating family members with baseball bats and a BB gun. 

WDIV-TV reports that closing arguments began Thursday afternoon in Young's trial, which included graphic expert testimony and audio of Tanner Cipriano's 911 call to Farmington Hills Police. Tanner, who is Salvatore's twin brother, and their younger sister Isabella escaped injury during the attack. 

Family members did not testify during Young's trial.