Douglas Makela was found guilty by the jury in Calumet Twp. incident

HOUGHTON, Mich. (WLUC) – After a day-long trial in 12th District Court in Houghton on Thursday, a jury found 33-year-old Douglas Edward Makela guilty on all counts.

Makela was charged with resisting/obstructing a police officer, a two-year felony, and misdemeanor disturbing the peace, according to a news release from the Houghton County Prosecutor's Office.

The incident occurred on September 17, 2022 in Calumet Township.

Evidence presented in court also showed that Makela had threatened a civilian witness to the incident. This investigation is ongoing.

Judge Fraser Strome revoked Makela's bond following the verdict and ordered him to be held in the custody of the Houghton County Sheriff's Department.

Houghton County Prosecutor Dan Helmer handled the case with assistance from the Houghton County Sheriff's Department.

“This was Houghton County's first felony trial in many years due to staffing issues, COVID and the instability in the district attorney's office prior to my taking office,” Helmer said. “I am proud to have brought this case to trial and grateful for the jury’s careful deliberations and verdict. The message here should be clear: If you commit a crime in Houghton County, we will seek justice – and, if necessary, go to court.”

Helmer noted that the case is more than two years old and that his office is still working through the backlog he inherited when he took office. He also expressed concern about testimony at trial in which a witness said Makela threatened to harm both her and the arresting officers if he were convicted.

“Attempting to undermine the justice system instead of getting justice in court is as despicable as it gets. “I will not stand for it and assure the residents of Houghton County that the matter will be investigated and that if charged, Mr. Makela will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Helmer said.

Makela is being held without bail in the Houghton County Jail until his sentencing on Dec. 16 at 1 p.m. in Houghton County Circuit Court.

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