In the winter of 2018, the life of 29-year-old Melvin Lamar Totten, a Black male, was abruptly and violently cut short in his hometown of Muskegon, Michigan. On the night of February 12th, shortly before 11 p.m., police were dispatched to the Trinity Village apartments on Valley Street following reports of a shooting. Inside one of the apartments, they found Melvin unresponsive with a gunshot wound to his head. He was rushed to the hospital but ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation that followed revealed the tragic circumstances of Melvin's death. It was determined that he was the victim of a planned robbery that had turned fatal. The objective of the robbery was to steal marijuana and a firearm. The Muskegon Police Department's thorough investigation led them to identify the individuals responsible for the senseless act of violence that took Melvin's life.
In November of that same year, two men were charged in connection with Melvin's murder: 18-year-old Antawan Dawan-Meshawn Beasley and 21-year-old Romelo Oshon Austin. Both faced charges of open murder. Beasley had previously been charged with receiving and concealing a stolen firearm and possession of a short-barreled shotgun or rifle related to the case. Austin was also held accountable for his attempts to mislead investigators and was convicted of lying to the police, for which he received a minimum sentence of 16 months in prison. Another individual, 18-year-old Theretius Adrain Greenberry, pleaded guilty to a felony firearm charge connected to the investigation.
The legal proceedings brought a measure of justice for Melvin and his grieving family. On January 15, 2020, Romelo Austin was sentenced for his role in the murder, having been convicted of second-degree murder. The successful prosecution of those involved was a result of the diligent work of the Muskegon County Prosecutor's Office, which ensured that the individuals who planned and carried out the robbery that led to Melvin's death were held responsible for their actions. Known as 'Lamar' to his friends and family, Melvin was remembered as a funny and devoted father to his son. His untimely death left a void in the lives of his parents, sister, and a host of other relatives and friends who cherished him.
