Background: Shuvonne Vinson in court on Aug. 5 (WJBK). Inset: Alleged victim Jeffrey Bernhard speaks during Vinson”s hearing (WJBK).
A Michigan court hearing became heated after a defendant apparently refused to stay quiet during her alleged victim’s testimony.
On Tuesday, Shuvonne Vinson, 43, appeared in a Washtenaw County court for a preliminary examination, facing 10 felony charges, including two counts of open murder, assault with intent to commit murder, kidnapping, and home invasion. These charges relate to the January 1 homicides of 48-year-old Jennifer Lyn Bernhard and 74-year-old Stevie Ray Smith and the attempted murder of 52-year-old Jeffrey Alan Bernhard.
The alleged victims were from a foster family with a 9-year-old child of their own, who were caring for Vinson’s 4-year-old daughter. Vinson, along with two other men, is accused of kidnapping the two children.
Jeffrey Bernhard, who survived the attack despite critical injuries, testified at Tuesday’s hearing, broadcasted by local Fox affiliate WJBK. On the stand, Bernhard recounted how Vinson allegedly invaded their home with two men — Gregory Callhan and Keith Finley — accusing Jennifer Bernhard of “not letting [her daughter] believe in God,” and labeling the foster family as “evil and demonic.” Vinson was reportedly angry because they “wouldn’t let her believe in God.”
When questioned by the prosecutor about these claims, Jeffrey Bernhard denied them, saying it was quite the “opposite.” He explained that his father-in-law was a pastor and his wife was an ordained minister, with both children regularly attending church and participating in Sunday school. Their nightly routine included Bible reading and Christian lullabies.
Bernhard explained that he and his wife tried to defuse the situation following Vinson’s accusations. She allegedly claimed to be a “gangster” and said, “I don’t care if I spend the rest of my life in jail,” confessing she had “planned this all out.” Subsequently, Vinson inquired, “Where do you keep the money?”
Bernhard also described that during the incident, Vinson’s daughter attempted to hug him and his wife before being taken away. He noted, “Miss Vinson was particularly upset because [her daughter] called us ‘Mommy and Daddy.'”
During Vinson’s video arraignment in January, she accused the Bernhards of harming her daughter, saying, “They assaulted my motherf—ing child” and “Those motherf—ers deserved to die” before storming out. Jeffrey Bernhard was asked about these allegations of “physical and sexual abuse” by Vinson’s attorney and stated that he was unaware of any such complaints until after the alleged attack.
Jeffrey Bernhard stated that on the night of the alleged shooting, “Miss Vinson never mentioned anything about sexual abuse or physical abuse.”
Vinson, from her seat at the defendant’s table, said, “You’re lying.”
Judge Simpson interrupted the hearing and warned, “Stop, that’s twice. I warned counsel, and counsel warned you. She can step out. Take her, because I’m not having it.”
Vinson was then removed from the courtroom before the hearing continued with more witnesses.
Vinson is being held in custody without bond. A pretrial hearing was scheduled for Oct. 1.
