A 31-year-old Sterling Heights man is being held without bond after he was arraigned Wednesday in connection with the stabbing death of his pregnant girlfriend.
Damarion Winston Goler was arraigned in in 41-A District Court on four criminal charges including second degree murder. Magistrate Michael Piatek ordered the suspect to remanded to the Macomb County Jail without bond.
According to the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office, Goler allegedly stabbed Talic Mersina, 31, early Sunday near the door of their Sterling Heights apartment complex. Mersina was approximately 28 weeks pregnant with their child when she was killed, prosecutors said.
“The defendant allegedly chose to take the life of his pregnant girlfriend, someone who trusted and loved him,” Prosecutor Peter Lucido said. “Justice demands that he face the consequences of his crimes. These acts are not merely crimes against individuals but against the very fabric of humanity itself.”
A spokesperson for the Prosecutor’s Office said the motive in the attack stemmed from a domestic violence incident.
Sterling Heights police said the victim was stabbed multiple times.
Police were called about 3 a.m. to respond to reports of a domestic disturbance at the Sterling Park Apartments on 18 Mile Road, east of Van Dyke Avenue. When officers arrived, they discovered blood in the hallway but no one was inside the apartment, investigators said.
A short time later, Clinton Township police received a 911 call to Goler’s mother’s apartment complex on Harper Avenue, north of 15 Mile Road, after a man was seen covered in blood.
Prosecutors said police encountered Goler and the victim in her car in the parking lot. The woman was rushed to an area hospital where she was later pronounced dead, along with her fetus.
In addition to second degree murder, Goler was charged with assault of a pregnant individual/intentionally causing miscarriage, tampering with evidence and concealing a death. If convicted on the most serious charges, he faces life in prison.
Court records also show he has an arrest warrant for disturbing the peace from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office through 52-3 District Court in Rochester Hills.
A probable cause hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 3 and a preliminary exam is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. April 10.
