Lansing man charged with murder in firefighter’s death

LANSING — The 22-year-old Lansing man who police said they believe intentionally struck a firefighter with his vehicle was arraigned on a murder charge Thursday afternoon.

Grant Jacob Taylor is charged with murder, failing to stop at the scene of a personal injury accident causing death and two counts of third degree fleeing and eluding in the death of Lansing firefighter Dennis Rodeman, who was collecting donations for a charity when he was struck.

Taylor, a Holt High School graduate who attended Michigan State University until this summer, faces up to life in prison if convicted.

He was arraigned Thursday afternoon in 54A District Court by Magistrate Laura Millmore, who denied bond due to the seriousness of the charges.

He’s scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Sept. 23 in District Court. The hearing will determine if there’s enough evidence for him to stand trial in Ingham County Circuit Court.

In a statement released Thursday after the arraignment, Ingham County Prosecuting Attorney Stuart Dunnings III said his office has sufficient evidence to bind the case to Circuit Court, but it remains under investigation.

“The Lansing police patrol and investigation units are to be commended for their prompt response, and thorough investigation, of this tragic event,” he said. “The police also received critical assistance from members of the public. As always, first responders rely on an active and engaged citizenry, and Lansing stepped up to the plate in the investigation of this tragic loss.”

Taylor told Millmore during the short arraignment hearing that he didn’t need a court-appointed attorney, but Millmore appointed one for him, citing the seriousness of the charges. She added that if he retained an attorney, they would replace the court-appointed one.

Rodeman, 35, died after he was struck by a pickup truck while collecting donations for the Fill the Boot fundraiser being run by area fire departments for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Police said he was wearing turnout gear and a reflective vest while collecting money. Rodeman was in a center turn lane near the intersection of Cedar Street and Jolly Road when he was hit, police said.

There was an exchange of words between Taylor and Rodeman, police said, before Taylor drove away, turned his pickup truck around and struck Rodeman.

Police declined to provide details on what the verbal exchange might have been about or for how long it lasted.

The incident happened at around 3:40 p.m. Wednesday. Rodeman was pronounced dead at around 6:30 p.m. at Sparrow Hospital, police said. Police said Wednesday that firefighters on scene gave Rodeman critical care before he was taken to the hospital.

Taylor fled the scene and was stopped by Lansing police in the 3100 block of Lawdor Road, before running from the vehicle, police said. He was arrested after a brief foot chase. In court, Taylor gave a home address in that block.

The Michigan State University student directory lists a Grant Jacob Taylor, a junior majoring in psychology, living at the same address. University spokesman Jason Cody said MSU did have a student named Grant Jacob Taylor in the 2014-15 academic year, but that he was no longer enrolled as of July 2015.

Police have said they believe Taylor deliberately hit Rodeman.

Taylor doesn’t appear to have a criminal record. During his arraignment, Millmore waived court fines and costs Taylor had for two outstanding parking tickets, citing the other, more serious charges he was facing.

Rodeman was a seven-year veteran of the Lansing Fire Department who survived a tour of duty in Iraq with the U.S. Marine Corps. He and his wife married in June, and she is expecting their first child, Lansing Fire Chief Randy Talifarro said during a press conference Wednesday night.

Talifarro said Rodeman was “very well thought of” and “a highly regarded individual.”

“He was just a joy to work around,” Talifarro said.

Contact Matt Mencarini at (517) 267-1347 or mmencarini@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattMencarini.