WASHTENAW COUNTY, Mich – There were audible gasps, tears and some visibly angry as Judge Karl A. Barr announced a decision in the Open Murder case against Buster Robbins.
Robbins, who appeared visibly shaken, put his hands together, still handcuffed, as if in prayer, and began to cry when the judge stated: “What I don’t have is probable cause that the defendant caused the death, and for that reason, I will not bind the matter over.
After the judge ruled, he did add, “I believe there’s more to this story than what I have heard.”
Dale Swanson, Wivell’s son, who was only 12 years old back in 1989 appeared to be shaken, seething, and too distraught to speak.
Wivell’s niece, Phyllis Meggison and sister-in-law Jackie Meggison spoke on his and Beverly Wivell’s behalf and said: “As long as we can keep [this case] going. This guy needs to pay for what he’s done. Let her rest in peace because she’s not really resting peace right now because she knows he’s still out there and he’s still breathing, and this guy needs to pay for what he’s done. They’ve gotten enough evidence, but I guess they want more.”
Phyllis and Jackie Meggison said the family “will not stop” until Buster Robbins is held accountable for Wivell’s rape and murder.
But the defense argued there was no gun, only a .45-caliber magazine that Robbins said was “passed down through the family.” They also said there is no proof Robbins killed Wivell — arguing the only evidence is that his DNA was discovered inside the victim. They also argued that the sex was consensual.
Prosecutors said it was not and said when police asked Robbins about Wivell, he said he never knew her. They then asked," “how did his DNA end up inside of her?”
“She was raped and he put two bullets in her — one execution style in her mouth, and dumped her on the side of the road,” one prosecutor said. “After he raped her.”
The defense attorney suggested that Robbins may have been unfaithful to his wife back then and lied about it, which is not a crime.
After the judge’s decision, prosecutors discussed even more shocking allegations against Robbins. They said Robbins is a person of interest in another cold case in Livingston County: the unsolved disappearance of a woman around the same time, and in a similar manner. While some see similarities in the missing persons case of Paige Renkoski, right now, it is unclear if that was the case they are referencing.
Even more, prosecutors said, there are now criminal sexual conduct allegations involving his wife, who has since filed for divorce. Prosecutors accused Robbins of facilitating non-consensual sexual encounters involving his wife — essentially “sneaking other men to have sex with her without her consent,” they said. They also said they discovered this through text messages on his phone.
Although the judge did not send the case to trial on the open murder charge, Robbins is still being held without bond. The judge agreed with prosecutors and labeled Robbins a “serious danger” and a flight risk, since he has been a pilot. Information also surfaced that he was a reserve officer in the mounted unit for the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office back in 1989.
“As long as we can keep it going, this guy needs to pay for what he’s done. Let her rest in peace because she’s not really resting peace right now because she knows he’s still out there and he’s still breathing, and this guy needs to pay for what he’s done. They’ve gotten enough evidence, but I guess they want more.
Phyllis and Jackie Meggison
While prosecutors appeal to circuit court, the case, appeal, and potentially bond will be revisited on April 8, 2025, in District Court in Ann Arbor.
