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A Michigan man has been accused of offering to pay an inmate's bail if he killed his ex-girlfriend.
According to a news release issued by the Michigan State Police and obtained by Newsweek, Michigan state troopers were notified by deputies from Charlevoix County Jail that an inmate said 26-year-old Caleb Beesley approached him with the offer.
Several teams, including the Traverse Narcotic Team, MSP Emergency Support Team and MSP Fugitive Team, found Beesley's car and arrested him several hours after monitoring the area. He was arraigned for homicide solicitation for murder, though the judge did not authorize bail.
"If the offense solicited is a felony punishable by imprisonment for life, or for 5 years or more, the person is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 5 years or by a fine not to exceed $5,000, or both," the Michigan penal code states.
Officials said Beesley and his ex-girlfriend began their relationship in April 2021, and he allegedly assaulted her for more than a year in several states as they traveled together. She had been hospitalized due to the attacks.
Beesley was serving time in Charlevoix County Jail for unrelated offenses. Only hours before he was to be released, Beesley was charged with the new assault allegations and was given a $100,000 bond.
"Upon being informed of the new charges, Beesley devised a plan to kill his ex-girlfriend," the release said. "Beesley offered to pay another inmate's bond, provide him additional funds and gifts in exchange for the murder."
Beesley posted his own bond and was released on tether, which was later found to not work correctly.
Charlevoix County Sheriff Charles Vondra told Newsweek the inmate came forward to report the offer after Beesley was released.
Michigan State Police Lieutenant Derrick Carroll told Newsweek the inmate went to a corrections officer and told them of the offer.
"When [officials] learned of the bounty, they tried to locate him," Carroll said.
At no time, he added, was Beesley's ex-girlfriend in any danger and she was not contacted by Beesley after he was released.
Per the news release, officials determined he was likely staying with his new girlfriend and issued an arrest warrant.
Vondra said it took no more than two days to locate Beesley.
Officials spent hours surveying the area until Beesley left an apartment complex, at which point he was arrested.
"He surrendered willingly when he was arrested," Carroll said.
Because the judge did not authorize bail, Beesley remains in the Charlevoix County Jail until his next court appearance.
Other cases that have taken place recently include a man who allegedly murdered his wife after reporting she completed suicide and a teenager who reportedly killed his stepfather and claimed he did so to protect his family.
One man allegedly shot his son to stop him from assaulting his wife.
Anyone seeking help should call The National Domestic Violence Hotline, a free and confidential hotline available 24/7 that can be reached on 1-800-799-7233 or TTY 1-800-787-3224. The Hotline also provides information on local resources. For more information visit https://www.thehotline.org/.
About the writer
Catherine Ferris is a Newsweek reporter based in New York. Her focus is reporting for the U.S. Trends Team. She ... Read more