In memory of the late James Matthew Moenaert
Hi everyone! I wanted to make sure that you all know about this year’s ride. The flyer is available on the website http://ride.maisonmartialarts.com and the Tee shirt orders are being taken now! Also you can sign up to be on the email list on the website as well.
AJ
On May 11, 2009, the world lost a great Human Being. My friend and Co-Worker Jimi Moenart was shot and killed in cold blood by 2 Oh, lets call them “punks“ for now.
I have met a lot of people in my life time, but never met anyone like Jimi.
We hired in at the plant on the same day. We worked in the same department. As a Union Rep. I had the pleasure of representing Jimi.
Jimi was the type of person who was always smiling, telling jokes. He seem to have a gift of putting everyone around him in a better mood. I never remember seeing him in a bad mood, or mad at anyone. Boy, could he ever tell the best stories!
I remember back a few years ago, we were working the night shift, when I noticed Jimi riding his bike toward me. I could tell he was up to something, because he had that look in his eyes. He stopped and asked me a question on the contract. I dont remember the exact question, but I noticed right away that he was up to something. After I told him he couldnt do what he asked about, he rephrased the question, hoping to get a different answer from me. Again, I told him he couldnt do it. So, he tried a third time. He really wanted to do whatever he was planning. At that point, I had to start laughing at him, then he looked at me at and starting laughing himself saying that “well, I tried“.
A couple of guys gave him the nickname “little bastard“. That was what they called him after one of his stories.
He was very devoted to his family and his Church. He enjoyed life to the fullest.
The police caught the 2 guys who shot our friend and justice was served.
We will all remember his great sense of humor and his gift of making people laugh. When I finally decide to grow up, I want to be just like him.
We will never forget our friend Jimi . The “little bastard“!
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Well, it’s been two years now since Randy and Calvin made the decision to take Jimi’s life. I sit and wonder “Why?” Why would someone do this? How could someone do this? Was it because he had something that they wanted? Why didn’t they say something to him? Why didn’t you ask (or tell) him to get out of his car that you apparently wanted to have so bad? Why did you just pull the trigger? Why did a man who worked and earned everything he had have to meet up with the likes of you two? What gives you the right?
These questions and hundreds more go through my head on a daily basis. I think I’ll publish your answers in your own words on this site for all the world to see!
NOTE: The following is a direct copy of the signed confessions of the murderers.
Randy:
Q. Do you understand your Constitutional rights?
A. Yes
Q. Do you know what you have been arrested for?
A. Yea
Q. Who were you arrested with today?
A. Calvin
Q. How long have you known Calvin?
A. Years (Illegible)
Q. What happened tonight on W. Warren?
A. I was trying to take a car from a guy’ I tried to open the door but they were locked, the guy tried to drive off, I fired two times through the drivers window, the guy drove off. I ran, the police found me in some bushes.
Q. What kind of gun did you have?
A. A 9mm, it was black.
Q. Did you have on gloves at the time of the shooting?
A. No.
Q. Did you have a mask on at the time of the shooting?
A. Yes, a black mask, skull cap with eyes cut out.
Q. Did you mean to shoot the guy?
A. No Sir.
Q. What did he look like?
A. White guy, It happened so fast.
Q. What color mask did Calvin have on?
A. A white one.
Q. What type of gun did Calvin have?
A. He didn’t have one.
Q. Did Calvin have gloves on?
A. No.
Q. What were you going to do with the S.U.V.?
A. Take it to the chop shop.
Q. How close were you when you fired the gun at the S.U.V.?
A. Four to five feet.
Q. Did you touch the S.U.V.?
A. Just the drivers door handle.
Q. Did Calvin touch the S.U.V.?
A. He didn’t do anything.
Q. Did you say anything to the guy in the S.U.V.?
A. I didn’t get a chance.
Q. Did Calvin say anything to the guy in the S.U.V.?
A. No.
Q. How did you get to W. Warren St.?
A. Calvin drove there from his house on Whitfield.
Q. Are you sorry about what happened tonight?
A. Yes, He probably had a family, I didn’t mean for this to happen.
Q. Were you given an opportunity to read this statement and make any changes?
A. Yes.
Q. Is there anything you would like to add?
A. I’m sorry, I Apologize to his family, it was a mistake, it went wrong.
Calvin:
Q. Do you understand your constitutional rights?
A. Yes.
Q. Do you understand why you are under arrest?
A. Yes.
Q. Who is the person you were arrested with?
A. Randy.
Q. How long have you known Randy?
A. Nine years.
Q. What happened tonight on W. Warren?
A. We left my house on Whitfield, Drive I-96 to Southfield to Warren where I hung a left we went 2-3 blocks turned right & parked my car, I asked Randy if this was were his girl lived (Thats were we were going) Randy said no, I don’t want my girl to see your car, he said we were going to walk a few blocks over. We walked back to Warren turned left, kept walking over the freeway. After about 8 more blocks we he walked to a parking lot, Randy veered off towards a black mini truck / S.U.V. crossover, looks like a Pacifica, the truck was running, Randy walked up to the drivers side door. Randy pulled out a black handgun from his right side, pointed it at the drivers side of the truck & fired two times, the truck took off, Randy started running, I followed him. We jumped about 5 fences & hid behind a garage. I saw flashlights next door, we moved to the side of a white garage. The flashlights left, then came back, we were hiding in some bushes. The police found us with the K-9 & arrested us.
Q. Did you see what happened to the gun that Randy had?
A. No.
Q. Did you touch the gun?
A. No, never.
Q. How many times did Randy fire the gun?
A. Twice.
Q. Did Randy say anything to the occupant of the black S.U.V. crossover?
A. No sir.
Q. Did you say anything to the occupant of the black S.U.V. crossover?
A. I wassn’t that close.
Q. Did either of you toutch the black S.U.V. crossover?
A. I didn’t, I don’t think Randy touched the truck.
Q. How far were you from the black crossover when the shots were fired?
A. About 15-20 yards.
Q. How far was Randy from the vehicle when he shot?
A. Close enough to open the door.
Q. Did you handle that gun that Randy fired at anytime tonight?
A. Never.
Q. Did you know Randy had the handgun on him?
A. No.
Q. How many masks were found with you and Randy when you were arrested?
A. Two, I don’t remember what color.
Q. Did you have any gloves with you?
A. I had my cream colored work gloves in my coat pocket. I heard one of the officers say Randy had gloves in his pocket.
Q. Were you given a chance to read this statement & make any corrections or changes?
A. Yes.
Q. Do you have anything you would like to add?
A. No.
I don’t know what else I can say at this point?
-AJ
Randy & Calvin,
I still hate you!
AJ
Well folks,
It’s been what seems like a long time since I written and I know that I was going to finish publishing the documents surrounding the court case but, It got to be too difficult at the time. I will finish it though even if no one ever reads it. This post will be just more of my thoughts pertaining to this whole mess though and the happenings since the last post.
First and foremost: I miss Jimi every single day since the 10’th of May when we last spoke. I know that people say that it get’s easier after a year or so but it’s been more than a year and it’s not much better.
Second: Some folks say that over time we’ll probably grow to forgive the two animals that murdered him…… I’m telling you point blank that that has not happened for me yet and I don’t see it happening ever! I may be wrong about that but…..only time will tell.
Third: Jimi’s close friends, (you know who you are) To you I can not say “Thank You” for everything that you have done and continue to do for us enough! You are all in my thoughts and prayers every day!
Fourth: The things that have happened since my last post.
Well, allot of people have requested that mass’s be held in Jimi’s honor and we have tried to attend every one, so to those of you that made those requests, Thank You for remembering! Also we had the second annual Ride for Jimi, it was awesome as usual and just as last year we had a bunch of people get washed out by a nasty rainstorm but those that did make it were in for an awesome ride and I personally would again like to thank Terry and all of his friends from the Michigan Patriot Guard Riders for a most excellent day on the bikes! and to everyone that fed us a big thank you too!Next year’s ride will be on 9-10-11 and will commence from graveside. We also had the second annual Jimi Moenaert Memorial Championship karate tournament that was a success…. Thank you to all that helped make it so, and to those that attended as well!
And last (for now) but not least: Please feel free to keep asking questions and I promise that I will do my best to answer!
I know that in a previous post I said that I would finish posting the police and court files….. I will as I can but please be patient as it is difficult to go through those files and re-live that day so that I can write about it.
Hi everyone,
I want to give you an update on this year’s Ride for Jimi.
The flier is available for viewing/printing/downloading on the ride website http://ride.maisonmartialarts.com
The Teeshirt orders are in process and this year’s colors are Blue or Pink (Thanks once again to Brian and Natalie)
Please visit the website for the latest info and please email me if you can contribute by bringing a dish to pass.
AJ
Please check out the links on the left for the “Ride for Jimi”
Happy Birthday Jimi
AJ
This is the ad that appears in the Oakland Press today. (Sunday May 9th 2010)
http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2010/05/09/obituaries/1578473.txt
This is a message from Dee.
Hi folks, how are you?
I have had some Masses said for Jim in May, June and August.
Tuesday, May 11th at 6:00 pm – is one for the anniversary of his passing.
Tuesday, June 15th at 6:00 pm – is as close to his birthday as I could get.
And Sunday, August 29th at 10:00 am. If you can come to this one maybe we can go out for breakfast afterwards. Just a thought.
I hope you can make one or more of these Masses. Father Rick said we could sing whatever we want, so I’ll pick one or more of Jim’s favorites,