From left: Dewond Estes and Justice Chimner (WMMT/YouTube). Jack Snyder (Bachman Hebble Funeral Service).
A Michigan judge on Monday sentenced the first of two boys involved in the attempted carjacking and murder of a high school senior to juvenile detention.
Dewond Estes III, at just 13 years old, stepped outside in the cold weather in Battle Creek with his friend Justice Chimner, who was 14 at the time, on February 17, 2023. Jack Snyder, 17, was passing by in his car on his way back from his girlfriend’s birthday party and decided to offer the boys a ride out of goodwill.
But the teens did not return the favor.
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However, instead of accepting the ride, Estes and Chimner attempted to steal Snyder’s car. When Snyder resisted, Chimner shot him twice, causing Snyder to crash. The teenagers fled the scene, leaving Snyder fatally wounded. Battle Creek Police Department detectives quickly identified Chimner and Estes as suspects and apprehended them. Subsequently, they were charged as adults.
According to a courtroom report from Kalamazoo CBS affiliate WMMT, Estes pleaded guilty in October to carjacking and prosecutors dismissed the murder charge. On Monday, Estes received a blended sentence: after being convicted as an adult, he was sentenced as a juvenile. He will be placed into the custody of the Department of Health and Human Services until he’s 18, the TV station reported. He’ll have to appear before Calhoun Circuit Judge John Hallacy every 90 days to review his progress. Once Estes turns 18, the judge will determine if he needs to be entered into the adult department of corrections system.
Estes initially claimed he was just a bystander to the crime, but cops discovered he had FaceTimed with another buddy and said he was planning on stealing a car, WMMT reported.
Court records show Chimner pleaded guilty to murder last month. Local Fox affiliate WXMI reports that Chimner will face between 35 and 60 years when he’s sentenced in March.
Snyder’s obituary said he was set to graduate from Battle Creek Central High School before he died. Soccer was “true passion.”
“The students and faculty described Jack as light-hearted, charismatic, athletic, and humorous. One whom left an indelible mark on all that met him,” the obituary said.
