WARREN, Mich. – A Bloomfield Hills man accused in the murder of a Warren father, his girlfriend, and his 6-year-old son was finally sentenced Wednesday, two weeks after court proceedings were delayed by his virtual outburst.
Nicholas Bahri, 39, returned to court Wednesday (June 29) after being convicted on 15 charges in connection with the murders of Tukoyo Moore, 32; Isis Rimson, 28; and Tai’Raz Moore, 6.
Rimson was Moore’s girlfriend, and Tai’Raz was his son, officials said.
Bahri was present in the courtroom Wednesday as a judge sentenced him to life in prison without parole.
Body found inside car in Detroit
This case dates back to Oct. 1, 2020. Around 2:30 a.m. on that date, Detroit police officers went to the 2100 block of Hyde Park Drive to investigate reports of a burning car.
When they arrived, police said they found a man’s body inside the burning vehicle. The body was burned beyond recognition, but during the course of the investigation, the man was identified as Tukoyo Moore, according to authorities.
Warren police asked to notify family
After Detroit police identified Moore as the victim, they asked Warren officers to notify his family members about what had happened.
At around 11 a.m. Oct. 1, 2020, Warren police went to Moore’s home in the area of Dequindre Road and Otis Avenue, about 11 miles away from where his body was found.
Nobody answered the door, according to officials.
Bodies found in basement
Police searched the home and found the bodies of Rimson and Tai’Raz. Both of them had been led down to the basement of the home and killed, Warren police Commissioner Bill Dwyer said.
Officials said they were shot “execution style.”
“Warren police officers entered the home and found (the victims) deceased with multiple gunshot wounds in the basement of the home,” a detective read during court proceedings.
Police from Warren and Detroit teamed up with the FBI to investigate the murders, as well as their connection to the discovery of Moore’s body.
“The execution-style killing of a 6-year-old boy is truly evil, unthinkable, and senseless, and shows no regard for life,” Dwyer said. “Only monsters or God-less creatures would pull the trigger on a 6-year-old and execute a child.”
The discovery sparked a massive homicide investigation on Otis Avenue. Officials canvassed the neighborhood and asked residents for doorbell camera footage that might give them a lead. Family members rushed to the scene to talk to authorities about who might have been coming and going from the house.
Nicholas Bahri charged
Police first revealed they had brought in a person of interest for questioning eight days after the murders, on Oct. 9, 2020.
Bahri was officially charged Oct. 13, 2020, with three counts of first-degree premeditated murder, three counts of first-degree felony murder, seven gun charges, arson, and mutilation of a body.
He wasn’t able to afford an attorney and asked the court to appoint him one.
“I think I should get an attorney,” Bahri said during the virtual proceedings. “I think maybe I need to get an appointed one.”
In April 2022, after a six-day trial and three hours of deliberation, a jury convicted Bahri on all 15 charges.
Previous criminal history
Bahri’s previous criminal history includes possession of narcotics and breaking and entering charges. He had been released from prison Aug. 20, 2020, after serving seven years for a charge of fleeing and eluding out of Orchard Lake.
Judges had previously sentenced Bahri to prison each time he was arrested, including for larceny in 2006, for drugs in 2008, and for the fleeing and eluding conviction. He reportedly violated probation on multiple occasions.
First sentencing outburst
Bahri was originally supposed to be sentenced two weeks ago, on June 15. He attended court virtually, but the proceedings were halted when he asked to appear in person.
Judge Edward Servitto said Bahri has that right, so the hearing was pushed back.
But before court was adjourned, Bahri spoke up on the live feed.
“I have real footage that’s not doctored, that’s not slowed down and stopped to the point when his heart stops,” Bahri said. “Then, I actually have real timelines of when this stuff happened. (Doesn’t) the family want to know that?”
The family of the victims were in court at the time, and someone could be heard saying “no” in response to Bahri’s outburst.
“Madam secretary, mute the jail, mute the jail,” Servitto said. “Mr. Bahri, stop talking.”
Bahri’s attorney said Bahri had attempted to file for a Ginther hearing -- a request for a new trial on the basis of ineffective counsel.
“I don’t think he understands that if there’s a Ginther hearing, I’m to be compelled to divulge things that he’s told me,” Bahri’s attorney said. “I’m asking to withdraw.”
Bahri will be provided a public defender.
“Folks, I know that all of you have been here a long time anticipating sentencing,” Servitto said. “However, the law requires that if he desires to be present, he has the right to be present, and it’s mandatory we adjourn this until that day. Thank you for being with us, and I’m sorry for the delay.”
You can see video of those court proceedings below.
