Zale pleads not guilty in fatal road rage shooting

HOWELL – The man charged in a September road rage shooting death on Grand River Avenue entered not guilty pleas to all charges Monday during arraignment in Livingston County Circuit Court.

After arraignment, Martin Zale returned to the Livingston County Jail where he is being without bond.

Judge Miriam Cavanaugh denied a motion by Zale’s attorney for a bond hearing.

Zale, a 69 year old Marion Township resident, faces homicide and felony firearm charges in connection with the shooting death of Derek Flemming.

Asked if he understood the charges against him, Zale replied “yes” in a clear, strong voice.

Flemming, a 43-year-old Oceola Township resident, was shot Sept. 2 after getting out of his car to approach Zale at the Grand River/Chilson Road intersection in Genoa Township.

The two had just been involved in a traffic incident where, prosecutors said, Zale drove his truck recklessly and cut off Flemming’s Ford Escape SUV. Flemming and his wife had been on their way to pick up their children from the first day of school. Zale was sitting inside his 2012 Dodge Ram pickup when the shooting occurred. Flemming, who was unarmed, died from a single gunshot to the face.

Zale’s attorney, Melissa Pearce, has said she will argue self-defense when the case goes to trial.

In a prepared statement released earlier, family members called Zale a “devoted and loving husband” who had “every right to stand his ground.”

Zale faces a Dec. 19 pretrial hearing with a trial date likely to follow early next year.

Wayne Peal is a reporter for the Daily Press & Argus in Livingston County.