DeMarckeon M. "Marcus" Jackson

BAY CITY, MI -- On Halloween, a 20-year-old Bay City man was given a year of probation and a chance to avoid having a felony on his record. Less than a month later, police allege he and a teen stabbed a man to death and set his home on fire.

Bay County District Judge Timothy J. Kelly on Friday, Dec. 2, arraigned DeMarckeon M. "Marcus" Jackson on single counts of open murder, felony murder, and larceny in a building. The first two charges carry maximum punishments of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. The larceny count is a four-year felony.

Steven A. Bouza

The day of the arraignment would have been the 60th birthday of Steven A. Bouza, the man police say Jackson and 16-year-old Rodrick Williams killed on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 24 or the night before. The larceny count Jackson faces stems from him allegedly stealing a video gaming console, cash, and motor vehicles from Bouza's residence, court records show.

Jackson appeared in court from the Bay County Jail via closed-circuit television. He wore black pants, a striped, seafoam green dress shirt, and a grayish sports jacket. He appeared calm, answering the judge's questions to say he lives at 917 S. Sheridan St. in Bay City and has graduated from high school.

He asked the judge for a court-appointed attorney and requested a personal recognizance bond. Bay County Chief Assistant Prosecutor -- and Prosecutor-elect -- Nancy E. Borushko opposed the latter. Kelly ordered Jackson be held without bond.

As he was led from the jail vestibule, Jackson shouted through the screen to his girlfriend, who was seated in the courtroom, "I love you, baby!"

An hour later, Bay County District Magistrate Janice E. Doner arraigned Williams on single counts of open murder, felony murder, and larceny in a building. The teenager is being charged as an adult.

Like Jackson, Williams appeared in court via closed-circuit TV. He sat at a desk at the Bay County Juvenile Home, where he is being housed.

Doner stressed to Williams he is being charged as an adult.

"This is not a juvenile court proceeding," Doner told him.

Williams' father, Edward Williams, appeared at the hearing and told the judge his son needs a court-appointed attorney. Borushko appeared at the arraignment and asked Doner deny bond for Williams, a request the magistrate granted.

Doner described the alleged crime to be "a heinous, brutal, and senseless act."

Numerous spectators attended both arraignments. Many attendees were not related to Bouza, but knew of his generosity to children and were curious about the case.

Jackson's older sister, Shanterra Givens, attended the arraignments.

"I'm sorry for their loss," she told MLive, speaking softly and tearing up. "I just want to ask Marcus why he did it. They know right from wrong. (Bouza) was a nice man."

She added Jackson is dating Williams' sister, who is six-months' pregnant with his child.

Lucy Moskal, 52, said she knows Jackson through the Williams family.

"He was a good kid," Moskal said. "He thought very highly of Steve. He stayed at Steve's for a while. Steve took him in and took care of him. He gave him everything that he needed."

She said she has driven Jackson to Bouza's house on occasion. She added Bouza's kindness toward kids was well-known. He would have cookouts and play games with neighborhood children in Rexer-Jablonski Park, near his home at 205 18th St.

Records indicate Jackson on Sept. 17 pleaded guilty to unlawfully driving away a motor vehicle. That charge stems from a motor vehicle theft reported March 8 in Hampton Township.

On Oct 31, Bay County Circuit Judge Joseph K. Sheeran sentenced Jackson to one year of probation under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act Status. The act allows a judge to place a defendant between the ages of 17 and 24 in jail or on probation without a conviction. If the defendant successfully completes the terms of the judge's sentence, he or she avoids having a criminal record.

Sheeran on Thursday, Dec. 1, arraigned Jackson on a charge of violating his probation and ordered he be held without bond.

Firefighters at about 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 24, found Bouza's body inside his home. The fire was discovered at about 7 a.m. by McLaren Bay Ambulance personnel, who had smelled smoke and were driving around looking for its source.

Investigators thought the fire was suspicious, as both of Bouza's vehicles were missing. A Michigan State Police K-9 unit responded to the scene and the dog hit on spots in the house where fire accelerants had been used, Bay City Public Safety Director Michael J. Cecchini has said.

Police recovered one of the vehicles the same day and recovered the second one Tuesday, Nov. 29.

An autopsy performed Saturday indicated Bouza had been stabbed multiple times. The fire was then set to cover up the slaying, Cecchini said.

Police late on Wednesday, Nov. 30, arrested Williams in connection with the killing. The next morning, they arrested Jackson.

Cecchini has said the crime was not random, the suspects having been acquaintances of Bouza.

Investigators do not believe the suspects' primary motive was to kill Bouza.

Bouza's funeral is to take place at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 6, at Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish-St. Hyacinth Church, 1515 Cass Ave. in Bay City. Interment is to follow at St. Patrick Cemetery.

A visitation takes place from 4-8 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 5, at Ambrose Funeral Home, 1200 Garfield Ave., and at the church on Tuesday from 9 a.m. until the funeral service.

In his obituary, Bouza is described as "a gentle man, with a heart of gold and always found a way to help anyone in need."

Bouza, who graduated from Bay City Central High School in 1975 and later worked for Consumers Energy, where he retired in June after more than 30 years of service, was described as a go-to guy for vehicle maintenance. He enjoyed polka music, "Three Stooges" movies, "and most importantly, being there to always love and support his family."

He is survived by his mother, a younger brother, two younger sisters, and four nieces.

Jackson and Williams to appear for a preliminary examination before District Judge Mark E. Janer at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 15.