Livonia Man Found Guilty of Manslaughter

Spencer Krusell will now face sentencing for the voluntary manslaughter of Nicholas Hatcher after a Livonia jury cleared him of second-degree murder. The verdict resolves the primary criminal charges against Krusell, who admitted to stabbing Hatcher but maintained that he acted in self-defense.

The case began when Hatcher followed Krusell and another man from a local plasma donation center. Police report that the second man had stolen Hatcher's book bag. Hatcher confronted the pair, and the dispute escalated into a physical altercation that ended with Hatcher's death.

During his testimony, Krusell told jurors he was retreating when he used the knife. He stated, "I was backing up. I backed up multiple times. Multiple times." He denied punching Hatcher and described the stabbing as his final option to stop the attack.

Defense attorney Charles Longstreet II argued that Hatcher initiated the violence by throwing punches. He asked the jury to determine if Krusell's use of force was necessary at that moment. Prosecuting attorney Sara Bonomo conceded that Hatcher had approached, threatened, and punched the men. However, she urged the jury to focus on whether Hatcher was using deadly force when Krusell responded.

Krusell also testified that he aimed low with the knife and did not target Hatcher's heart. He told the court, "I was in fear for my life, and I didn't aim for his heart, for one." He apologized to the jurors, saying, "That was truly not my intentions for Nicholos Hatcher to die, and I really am sorry."

Jurors deliberated for just over an hour before returning their verdict. Felisha Hatcher, the victim's mother, said the outcome allows her to begin the healing process. She noted, "No one won today. No one won," but added that she was glad the situation was coming to a close.

Krusell is scheduled to return to court on Dec. 11 for sentencing.