Oakland County man charged in deadly shooting of burglar bound over for trial

The Brief

• • A White Lake man is charged with manslaughter for killing a garage intruder.
  • Experts have argued that Dayton Knapton was not justified in shooting at the group that he caught breaking into his detached garage.
  • Knapton is expected to learn today if the case will be bound over to trial.

FOX 2 – The White Lake Township man charged with manslaughter after opening fire on a group of garage burglars has been bound over for trial.

Dayton Knapton shot and killed a burglar he caught breaking into his garage last year.

Knapton, 24, is charged with manslaughter, assault with intent to murder, and several weapons offenses for the shooting last summer that killed a 17-year-old and wounded a second victim.

Judge Kelly Kostin said that the prosecution met its burden with all four counts.

“Obviously this is a very difficult case – you do have empathy and sympathy for the defendent understanding that his property had been broken into at least twice prior to this incident,” Kostin said. “Understanding that there could have been some real fear that evening, the court also notes that the law does not allow you to use deadly force to protect your property,”

Kostin said that Knapton put himself into that position and that the self-defense argument “becomes more difficult” after seeing the security video.

“The video shows he was clearly shooting at the people attempting to burgle the garage,” she said. “He was shooting at them when they were running away, (and) that shows he did try to commit great bodily harm.”

Police said Knapton spotted seven people entering his detached garage in the 9000 block of Mandon Drive on a security camera shortly after 1 a.m. July 8 and went outside. That’s when he started shooting at the group as they left the garage, causing them to run away.

After the shooting, White Lake Township police were notified that a 17-year-old was near Huron Valley Hospital in Commerce Township, while another 17-year-old was at a second hospital. One victim died, the other who was wounded, recovered.

The defense for Knapton argued he was awoken from a dead sleep and that he was in fear for his life, having been a victim twice before of burglars.

Knapton’s attorney questioned police officers who testified Thursday that after the second break-in he was told by investigators to “beef up” his security.

The prosecution argued that he had no right to use deadly force to protect a dirt bike.

Judge Kostin said that Knapton must continue to wear a GPS tether.

White Lake Police Officer Frank Wright testified about his interaction with Knapton after responding to the shooting.

“The other officer radioed that he found blood in the garage,” Wright said. “I asked Knapton about it, he stated he had to protect himself and his property.

“II asked him how he did that, and he said his 9mm.”

In a previous hearing on March 5th, outdoor home security video from Knapton’s home appeared to show him firing multiple shots at the burglars as they ran away.

Read more here.