Copyright WDIV ClickOnDetroit
OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. – The woman accused of stabbing an 83-year-old grandfather to death in Royal Oak refused to appear in court for her arraignment on Tuesday and was lying on the jail cell floor naked. Police said the attack happened around 9:30 p.m. Oct. 24 on Sheridan Drive near Woodward Avenue. Officers responding to reports of a man calling for help found a 35-year-old woman with blood on her hands outside the home. Inside the home, officers discovered David Ong, 83, unresponsive in the basement with multiple stab wounds. Despite lifesaving efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene. Samantha Rae Booth was arrested after a brief police chase. What neighbors said happened on day of stabbing Several neighbors told Local 4 Booth had been working as a nanny for the family. “Mom was out of town on a business trip. I understand,” one neighbor said. “It was a disturbing, horrible crime.” “We were very worried about that little girl,” another added. When asked why, the neighbor said, “Because she was home with that woman.” Neighbors described the incident as “horrible from start to finish.” One resident said screams were heard before describing another family member and neighbor running to help. “He jumped the fence and did what he could to help,” the neighbor said. “And the woman came running at all of them — so he experienced her wrath as well.” According to witnesses, after the stabbing, Booth began stripping off her clothes and running through nearby yards as police closed in. “She raced across the island down there, and I think she fell at some point. Her clothes were found in a neighbor’s driveway two doors down,” one neighbor said. Police said after a short chase, they were able to arrest her nearby. Police said they are also investigating whether drugs played a role in the attack. “She was not coherent,” another neighbor said. “She was speaking, but gibberish. I’m glad the mother and daughter are safe — but that poor man.” What to know about the victim David Graham Ong’s family has called him a devoted father and grandfather whose life centered around his children and grandchildren. “[His] last selfless act to save his granddaughter tells you all you need to know about him,” his family wrote in his obituary. “He was a truly remarkable man who loved his family more than anything in the world and would do anything for them.” The family added that Ong “believed deeply in education and proudly supported his four children through many years of Catholic school and college. His favorite hobby was his family. He never missed an event — from soccer games to dance recitals, piano and guitar performances, graduations, weddings, births and birthdays.” Suspect refuses to appear in court Booth was scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 28 via Zoom. The judge asked the corrections officer on the call to have Booth appear in court through Zoom. The corrections officer then told the judge that she was refusing to show herself on camera and cover herself up. “Hey, Samantha, can you cover yourself and come to the window?” the corrections officer asked Booth. Booth was in a holding cell for her arraignment. The corrections officer explained to the judge that Booth was on the floor naked in the jail cell and refused to cooperate. “We were informed she was going to cooperate, but now she’s just laying on the floor,” said the judge. After further discussions between the judge, the defense and prosecution, Booth agreed to hear her charges. However, her attorney said she will not show herself on the call, but her attorney will represent her. Booth was charged with six felonies: First-degree murder, second-degree child abuse, assault with a dangerous weapon and three counts of assaulting a police officer. The judge denied bond, saying Booth is a “present danger to society” and believes she could flee if she were given the opportunity.
