Man accused of killing MSU student in Howell scheduled for trial

HOWELL — The man accused of killing Michigan State University student Oghenevwede (Wede) Okagbare in Howell is scheduled for trial this summer.

Reese Hammie, 23, was arraigned on charges of first-degree home invasion and domestic violence on Aug. 11, 2023, the same day Okagbare was killed. The home invasion and domestic violence charges were for a separate incident that occurred Aug. 1.

Later, on Sept. 6, Hammie was charged with one count of open murder and one count of witness bribing/intimidating/interfering. Both are felonies.

Currently, Hammie’s charges are one count of homicide — open murder, obstruction of justice, first-degree home invasion, assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder and domestic violence.

According to state sentencing guidelines, first-degree home invasion carries a 20-year maximum sentence and assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder is a 10-year maximum sentence.

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Open murder is a combination of first and second degree murder, allowing the jury to decide the degree based on the evidence presented at trial.

While the charges stem from two separate cases, they will be tried together in front of Judge Miriam Cavanaugh beginning Monday, Aug. 19. A backup trial date was set for Monday, Sept. 16.

— Contact reporter Tess Ware attware@livingstondaily.com.