By By NORMA LERNER / Dowagiac Daily News
CASSOPOLIS – A 15-year-old unsolved murder case in the 1990 slaying of Michael Whitaker in Pokagon Township will now go to rest.
On Monday, Michael Dunnuck entered a guilty plea of second-degree murder for the 1990 shooting death of Whitaker who was 42 years old.
Dunnuck was scheduled for trial Sept. 19.
According to a news release by Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz, Dunnuck, 34, acknowledged getting into an argument with Whitaker on March 7, 1990, while at Whitaker's trailer parked at 3136 Michigan-51, Dowagiac. Dunnuck admitted grabbing a gun and shooting Whitaker once. Authorities found Whitaker the next day with a bullet wound through the forehead.
There were reportedly coins and silver bars missing from Whittaker's trailer and never located.
The 15-year-old case was reopened by the Michigan State Police, Niles Post, after police heard that Dunnuck, 34, was a suspect. With the approval of post Commander Mike Brown, state police Detective Fabian Suarez and Trooper Matt Acterberg thoroughly re-investigated the case and discovered numerous persons including an ex-wife, an ex-girlfriend and other persons who heard the defendant confess to the crime. That evidence, coupled with proofs from the original investigation, provided sufficient evidence for the prosecutor's office to charge and convict Dunnuck of his crime.
An earlier trial in March on this matter had ended in a hung jury and mistrial.
As part of the agreement, Dunnuck will receive a maximum 25 years in prison and will not be charged with perjury-related offenses arising from the incident. Sentencing is set for 8:30 a.m. Sept. 15 before Circuit Judge Michael Dodge.
Fitz praised the Michigan State Police for its efforts stating, "The Michigan State Police never relented. Suarez was not going to rest until Whitaker's murderer was brought to justice. This conviction brings closure for a family who waited many years for this day."