Police say fight allegedly over woman
A man who is said to be a regular patron at a Taylor bar has been charged in the stabbing death of another frequent customer.
William Parker, 40, a Taylor resident, was charged Tuesday in 23rd District Court with second-degree murder in the death of 27-year-old Marcell Turner Pongratz, who was first identified on social media by a member of his family.
He was remanded to the Wayne County Detention Center and is being held without bond.
His next court appearance is a probable cause hearing, which is set for Nov. 13.
The charge stems from an Oct. 26 altercation that started inside Big League Brews, 20428 Ecorse Road.
According to police, it was Parker who initially contacted police and told officers someone at the bar pulled a gun on him.
Upon their arrival, officers were told there was an altercation inside the bar between patrons and the staff separated them and put them out.
Police said an argument ensued outside in the parking lot, resulting in a fight.
Detective Lt. Frank Canning said Pongratz was stabbed in the chest and he drove himself to a nearby hospital, where he died.
“Since everybody was a regular, there wasn’t a huge question of the suspect’s identity,” Canning said.
Police and members of the Special Weapons and Tactics Team converged on a relative’s house in Ypsilanti, where they located and arrested Parker without incident.
Canning said the level of alcohol consumed likely played a role in the entire scenario.
“There was quite the level of intoxication,” Canning said. “By 11 a.m., about 10 hours later, the suspect was still legally drunk.”
A GoFundMe account has been set up on behalf of Pongratz’s family to assist with funeral and cremation expenses.
Anyone with information related to this latest incident is asked to contact the police department at 734-374-1420.