In the spring of 2019, the life of 33-year-old Deon-Te Deshawn Dexter, a Black/African American man from Saginaw, Michigan, was tragically cut short. On the evening of May 18th, Dexter, known affectionately as 'Dex' to his friends and family, was inside the Babel Food Market on the corner of 6th and Annesley streets. An altercation broke out within the store, and in a sudden burst of violence, shots were fired. Dexter was struck, and the wounds proved to be fatal. He was a father and was remembered by his loved ones for his vibrant personality and infectious smile.
The Saginaw Police Department quickly launched an investigation into the city's fourth homicide of the year. Their efforts led to the identification of a suspect, and within a few days, an arrest was made. The suspect was publicly identified as 18-year-old Rickie Pointer Jr. The Saginaw County Prosecutor's Office formally charged Pointer with open murder and felony firearm possession in connection with Dexter's death.
Following his arrest, Rickie Pointer Jr. was arraigned on the charges and ordered to be held without bond. The legal proceedings moved through the court system, culminating in a trial. In the end, Pointer was found guilty of the charges brought against him. For his role in the death of Deonte Dexter, he was sentenced to serve a mandatory life sentence in prison without the possibility of parole. An additional two-year sentence was added for the felony firearm conviction, ensuring that he would be held accountable for the senseless act of violence that took a man's life in a neighborhood food market.
