ANN ARBOR (WWJ) -- The murder trial for a man accused of strangling a retired Ann Arbor postal worker to death more than two years ago is underway in Washtenaw County Trial Court.
Christopher Cheatham, 27, was identified as a suspect and arrested on July 31, 2019, in the death of 71-year-old Richard “Dick” Fortune.
Fortune was found dead in his home during a welfare check on Feb. 20, 2019, around 5:15 p.m., in the 2600 block of Lillian Road in Ann Arbor.
An autopsy report obtained by MLive and The Ann Arbor News through a Freedom of Information Act request states that Fortune was strangled to death and wrapped in a tarp.
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Cheatham was one of several tenants living in Fortune’s home at the time of the slaying, prosecutors said.
Cheatham was linked to the death through “biological evidence” found in Fortune’s bedroom and cell phone data recovered by police, said Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Nimish Ganatra during the arraignment.
He is facing a possible life sentence if convicted on one felony count of open murder. If convicted, the jury will be able to choose between first- and second-degree murder.
In addition, Cheatham is facing charges in connection with several stolen credit cards not associated with the murder that police said were found in his possession.
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