Lowell man charged with murder in death of Clinton Decker on Sunday

ONEIDA TWP. — A Lowell man charged with murdering a man in a home near Grand Ledge on Sunday walked into traffic on East Grand Ledge Highway and told witnesses that he had just killed someone, police said.

Joseph Sadlak, 29, had blood on his hands and clothing, a detective testified in a hearing that resulted in a murder charge being issued against Sadlak.

Sadlak told a responding deputy that he had just stabbed his friend at a home where 44-year-old Clinton Decker was found dead with multiple stab wounds, the detective said.

Sadlak was arraigned on a murder charge Tuesday in Eaton County District Court.

Deputies were called to the 1600 block of East Grand Ledge Highway in Oneida Township about 6 p.m. Sunday to check on a suspicious person, Eaton County Sheriff's officials said.

Sheriff's Detective Josh Ivey told told a judge on Tuesday that several callers reported a man in the road. The man was jumping in front of traffic and told witnesses he had just killed someone.

When a deputy arrived and took him in into custody, Sadlak admitted stabbing "his friend," Ivey testified. Deputies then went to the residence and found Decker dead, he said.

An autopsy showed Decker's wounds were consistent with Sadlak's description of what happened, Ivey testified.

Eaton County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Jerri Nesbitt said Decker's death "occurred from force and violence, but the specific cause of death will be determined by the Medical Examiner."

Contact Kara Berg at 517-377-1113 or kberg@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @karaberg95.