Michigan Judge Sentences Teen for Carjacking That Led to High School Senior’s Tragic Death

Race Day Live ( Detroit, MI) –  On Monday, a Michigan judge sentenced the first of two teenagers involved in the attempted carjacking and murder of a high school senior to juvenile detention.

On February 17, 2023, Dewond Estes III, who was 13 years old at the time, and his friend Justice Chimner, who was 14 years old at the time, ventured outside in the bitter weather of Battle Creek. Jack Snyder, 17, was passing by on his way home from his girlfriend’s birthday party when he decided to provide the lads with a ride out of benevolence.

However, the teenagers did not reciprocate.

Rather, they attempted to take Snyder’s vehicle. Subsequently, Snyder was struck twice by Chimner. Snyder wrecked, and the adolescents fled. Snyder was declared deceased by paramedics upon his arrival at the location. Chimner and Estes were identified as suspects by detectives from the Battle Creek Police Department, and they were apprehended shortly thereafter. Prosecutors charged them as adults.

Estes pled guilty to carjacking in October, and prosecutors dismissed the murder charge, according to a courtroom report from Kalamazoo CBS affiliate WMMT. Estes was sentenced as a juvenile on Monday, after being convicted as an adult. The TV station reported that he will be entrusted to the Department of Health and Human Services until he reaches the age of 18.

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He will be required to appear before Calhoun Circuit Judge John Hallacy every 90 days to evaluate his progress. Estes’ entry into the adult department of corrections system will be determined by the magistrate upon his 18th birthday.

Estes initially claimed he was merely a bystander to the crime. However, authorities later discovered that he had FaceTimed with another friend and stated that he intended to steal a car.

According to court records, Chimner entered a guilty plea to homicide last month. According to WXMI, a local Fox affiliate, Chimner will be sentenced to a term of 35 to 60 years in March.

Snyder was scheduled to graduate from Battle Creek Central High School prior to his passing, according to his obituary. “Soccer was a genuine passion.”

“Jack was described by the students and faculty as charismatic, humorous, athletic, and lighthearted.” “One who left an indelible impression on all who encountered him,” the obituary stated.

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