MUSKEGON, MI – Tirell Anton Mitchell has been bound over for trial on a perjury charge that carries a maximum potential sentence of life in prison.
Mitchell, 18, of Muskegon waived his Wednesday preliminary examination in Muskegon County 60th District Court and was bound over for trial in 14th Circuit Court.
He faces a charge of perjury at a court proceeding for a capital crime, meaning a crime with a maximum sentence of life in prison. Perjury at such a proceeding is itself punishable by up to life or any term of years in prison.
Mitchell is accused of lying under oath at a Nov. 1 court hearing for Omar Varona, 17, of Muskegon.
After that hearing, Varona was bound over for trial on charges of assault with intent to murder, a potential life felony, and felony firearm, a two-year felony, for allegedly shooting a 33-year-old Muskegon man in the neck and chest on Oct. 2. The shooting happened at Fifth Street and Muskegon Avenue.
Prosecutors allege that Mitchell’s testimony, in which he claimed not to see Varona with a gun the night of the shooting, contradicted his earlier statement to police.
Mitchell remained lodged Wednesday in the Muskegon County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bond.