Judge Orders Trial for Flint Double Homicide Suspect
A judge has ruled that 19-year-old Evan Richard Durbin must stand trial for the fatal shooting of two teenagers.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Violence
Judge Vikki Bayeh-Haley ordered 19-year-old Evan Richard Durbin to face trial on 11 criminal charges following a preliminary examination. Durbin is accused of killing 16-year-old Mason Pritt and 17-year-old Dwayne Thompson during a shooting incident on August 10.
Why it matters
The ruling moves the case forward to the Genesee County Circuit Court, where Durbin will face two counts of first-degree premeditated murder. The legal proceedings seek to hold the defendant accountable for the deaths of the two teenagers following an altercation on James P. Cole Boulevard.
Evan Richard Durbin faces 11 criminal counts, including two charges of first-degree premeditated murder. The defendant is scheduled for future proceedings in the Genesee County Circuit Court.
The players
Vikki Bayeh-Haley
She is the judge overseeing the preliminary examination and the resulting bind-over order for the criminal case.
Evan Richard Durbin
He is the 19-year-old defendant who faces 11 criminal charges, including two counts of first-degree murder.
Mason Pritt
The 16-year-old victim who was pronounced deceased at the scene of the shooting.
Dwayne Thompson
The 17-year-old victim who died after being transported to a hospital.
The details
Witnesses identified Durbin as the individual who allegedly fired a rifle from the back seat of a white Chrysler Sebring convertible. Testimony and two videos presented in court detailed how the shooting occurred after the vehicle began driving away from a dispute between two women.
Timeline
Aug. 10: The shooting incident occurred on James P. Cole Boulevard.
Aug. 12: Evan Richard Durbin was arrested by authorities.
Oct. 29: The preliminary examination took place in court.
Legal Context
This case follows established judicial patterns in Genesee County for processing felony homicide charges through preliminary examination. The proceedings reflect the standard procedural steps required by the court to move high-level felony charges toward a jury trial.
The transition of this case to the Genesee County Circuit Court signals the next phase of the legal process regarding the safety of the James P. Cole Boulevard area. Residents and local stakeholders can monitor upcoming court schedules as the trial moves toward a final resolution.
The takeaway
The court's decision to bind over all 11 counts underscores the severity of the charges facing the defendant. This case highlights the importance of the ongoing judicial process in addressing public safety concerns regarding gun violence in the community.
Further reading
For more on safety and criminal justice developments in the area, visit the Violence section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mlive.
