COLDWATER, MI (WTVB)- 20-year-old Valmir Djempsley, of Coldwater, has been charged with open murder in the fatal stabbing of Brandon Eduardo Vasquez-Chavez on June 29.
According to a complaint filed in Branch County’s 3-A District Court, Coldwater police responded to a reported stabbing at The Clemons Meat Processing Plant, 572 Newton Road shortly after 7:41 p.m.
The victim was found unresponsive with a single stab wound to his lower back. Despite lifesaving efforts, Vasquez-Chavez was pronounced dead at the scene at 8:19 p.m.
Djempsley was detained by Branch County Sheriff’s Sgt. Paulino Hernandez after witnesses identified him as the suspect.
Multiple witnesses told investigators that Djempsley and Vasquez-Chavez had been involved in a verbal argument moments before the stabbing. Witnesses reported seeing Djempsley confront the victim about a knife, then chase him and lunge toward his back with the weapon in a production area of the plant.
In a post-Miranda interview with translation assistance, Djempsley admitted to the argument over the knife and acknowledged swinging the weapon at the victim after claiming he had been head-butted. No witnesses corroborated the head-butt allegation prior to the stabbing.
The knife believed to have been used in the assault was recovered by police.
Djempsley appeared in court and entered a not guilty plea on Wednesday. Bond was denied due to public safety concerns and flight risk, Judge Weigle also noted Djempsley has an ICE hold.
He is scheduled for a preliminary examination on July 10 at 9:30 a.m. Open murder carries a possible life sentence under Michigan law. Djempsley remains in custody at the Branch County Jail.
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