Topline: A Michigan attempted murder case unraveled in court when the man shot twice never showed up, sending prosecutors scrambling to file it again.
Published: August 2, 2026 4:04 pm ET
Randy Shaw
I cut my teeth in journalism when I began looking into what I saw as abuses of power in my local government. From then on, I was hooked on the dopamine rush of uncovering information.
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SAGINAW, MI — Devin Rieger was released Thursday after a Saginaw County judge dismissed his attempted murder case when the man he was accused of shooting twice failed to appear in court, though prosecutors said they planned to refile the charges immediately.
The abrupt dismissal came in a case that centered on a July shooting in Albee Township, where the alleged victim’s absence forced the court to drop the matter for now, according to MLive.
Rieger, 33, had been charged with assault with intent to murder after Saginaw County sheriff’s deputies responded to a home on Sheridan Road and found a man who had been shot twice, WNEM reported. The station said the victim suffered life-threatening injuries.
Investigators later located Rieger at a home on Burt Road, where authorities said he barricaded himself inside before a SWAT team took him into custody without incident. Before Thursday’s court hearing, his bond had been set at $500,000.
MLive reported prosecutors intend to immediately file the case again, meaning the courtroom setback may only be temporary even after the victim’s no-show derailed the first prosecution attempt.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Judge Dismisses Attempted Murder Case After Shooting Victim Fails to Appear in Court
A Michigan attempted murder case unraveled in court when the man shot twice never showed up, sending prosecutors scrambling to file it again.
By Randy Shaw
Published: August 2, 2026 4:04 pm ET
SAGINAW, MI — Devin Rieger was released Thursday after a Saginaw County judge dismissed his attempted murder case when the man he was accused of shooting twice failed to appear in court, though prosecutors said they planned to refile the charges immediately.
The abrupt dismissal came in a case that centered on a July shooting in Albee Township, where the alleged victim’s absence forced the court to drop the matter for now, according to MLive.
Rieger, 33, had been charged with assault with intent to murder after Saginaw County sheriff’s deputies responded to a home on Sheridan Road and found a man who had been shot twice, WNEM reported. The station said the victim suffered life-threatening injuries.
Investigators later located Rieger at a home on Burt Road, where authorities said he barricaded himself inside before a SWAT team took him into custody without incident. Before Thursday’s court hearing, his bond had been set at $500,000.
MLive reported prosecutors intend to immediately file the case again, meaning the courtroom setback may only be temporary even after the victim’s no-show derailed the first prosecution attempt.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Judge Dismisses Attempted Murder Case After Shooting Victim Fails to Appear in Court
A Michigan attempted murder case unraveled in court when the man shot twice never showed up, sending prosecutors scrambling to file it again.
By Randy Shaw
Published: August 2, 2026 4:04 pm ET
SAGINAW, MI — Devin Rieger was released Thursday after a Saginaw County judge dismissed his attempted murder case when the man he was accused of shooting twice failed to appear in court, though prosecutors said they planned to refile the charges immediately.
The abrupt dismissal came in a case that centered on a July shooting in Albee Township, where the alleged victim’s absence forced the court to drop the matter for now, according to MLive.
Rieger, 33, had been charged with assault with intent to murder after Saginaw County sheriff’s deputies responded to a home on Sheridan Road and found a man who had been shot twice, WNEM reported. The station said the victim suffered life-threatening injuries.
Investigators later located Rieger at a home on Burt Road, where authorities said he barricaded himself inside before a SWAT team took him into custody without incident. Before Thursday’s court hearing, his bond had been set at $500,000.
MLive reported prosecutors intend to immediately file the case again, meaning the courtroom setback may only be temporary even after the victim’s no-show derailed the first prosecution attempt.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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