The man who police say sexually assaulted his girlfriend and fatally stabbed her daughter in Isabella County over the weekend was arraigned Tuesday in Mount Pleasant.
Police said Isaiah Gardenhire evaded law enforcement for nearly 48 hours and committed additional crimes as he hid. They are not identifying the victims by name “out of respect and courtesy as they heal,” said state police spokesperson Michelle Robinson.
After fleeing his girlfriend’s house in Mount Pleasant, Gardenhire hid in a vacant unit at the Jamestown Apartments just outside the city limits, Isabella County prosecutor David Barberi said. Later, Gardenhire entered the apartment of a man and a woman in the complex, hit the man, and sexually assaulted the woman, said Barberi.
“It’s a crazy case,” the prosecutor said.
Gardenhire was arrested Monday night and arraigned in Isabella county Tuesday on 12 criminal counts: one count each of homicide, evading police, armed robbery and carjacking; four counts of criminal sexual conduct; two counts of unlawful imprisonment, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon.
At least two of the charges carry potential sentences of life in prison.
Gardenhire had been released from jail on bond in Mason County less than a week before the alleged attacks in Isabella County, Barberi said.
The prosecutor blamed bail reform efforts for letting Gardenhire out of jail in Mason County.
“I think what we’re actually seeing is the byproduct of a kinder, gentler, softer approach to criminal justice,” Barberi said.
Bail reform advocates are trying to reduce the amount of money defendants have to pay to be released from jail before trial.
Barberi said a low bond amount, spurred by reform efforts, allowed Gardenhire to get out of jail in Mason County and be in Mount Pleasant over the weekend.
“My belief is that Mr. Gardenhire was let out at a reduced bond as a result of that push.”
Advocates of bail reform say the current system discriminates against defendants based on how much money they have.
Gardenhire’s next court appearance is Wednesday morning to conclude his arraignment, which the judge suspended after several outbursts from Gardenhire.
“She’s the one who did it,” he yelled during the virtual hearing.
The court muted his microphone and blocked his video for much of the arraignment.
Gardenhire’s bond is set at $3 million.