Farmington Hills Man Alleging Ethnic Intimidation Takes Stand – Then Prelim is Halted

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — The testimony of a Farmington Hills man believed to be the victim of a three-on-one attack last year in West Bloomfield was delayed Tuesday prior to cross-examination because of what the judge called "ethical issues."

Fariss Shayota, 21, Naseem Shayota, 29, and Savio Yaldo, 21, all of West Bloomfield, are charged with  against Steve Harris, 25, of Farmington Hills. Judge Marc Barron of the 48th District Court is hearing testimony to determine whether there is enough evidence to send the three men to trial. If convicted, each faces up to two years in prison.

Barron adjourned the preliminary exam to April 20 after a meeting with attorneys in his chambers following Harris' testimony. Harris was questioned by Oakland County assistant prosecutor Jeff Hall.

During his hourlong testimony, Harris, dressed in suit and orange tie, painted a terrifying picture of the three men, shouting racial slurs at him before being hit in the forehead with a brick, as well as West Bloomfield Police who made him feel insecure after the alleged beating on April 11, 2011.

Chief assistant prosecutor Paul Walton said that he could not comment on the reason why the trial was delayed because it has not gone on record.

Defense attorneys for the three men also denied comment.

Harris, who in an interview by the Detroit Free Press alleged that police repeatedly rebuffed his attempts to seek ethnic intimidation charges, pointed out the three defendants in the courtroom Tuesday when asked to recall the beating.

Also on Tuesday, a witness from the West Bloomfield Fire Department testified that Harris refused medical attention for a bloody nose, but did not corroborate Harris' later testimony that he suffered further injuries.

A friend of Harris was scheduled to testify but did not on account of a family emergency, Hall said.