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I Am Denis’s Mom: My Experience with Karen McDonald Oakland County Prosecutor.


On March 19, 2019, my world collapsed. My son Denis Preka was killed, and from that day forward I have lived in a nightmare that never ends. Every morning begins with loss. Every night ends with loss. And in between, I have had to fight not only the pain of burying my child, but the pain of watching Karen McDonald dismantle my son’s case after two years of waiting for trial—as if our pain meant nothing, as if she had the power to do anything she wanted.

What makes this even more devastating is that my son was not taken by a stranger unknown to the system. Nicholas Remington who's responsible for my son death was already known to the justice system since 2017. He was already on probation. He was already under two court supervision.

The law was supposed to mean something. The rules were supposed to protect the public. Instead, my son is dead, and I have spent years trying to understand how a system with so many warnings still failed to protect him.

Karen McDonald is not just a name on a ballot to me for AG. She is not just a public official with a title. To me, Karen McDonald is the most corrupt prosecutor in this country who, betrayed victims and abused the power of an office that does not belong to her. That office belongs to the people of Oakland County. It belongs to the public. It belongs to victims and the families who were promised justice.


She is only a temporary holder of that office, but the damage she has done to my broken heart—God is my witness—is something I will carry for the rest of my life.


I am not speaking as a political observer. I am speaking as Denis’s mother. I am speaking as a woman who has paid a price for the last five years that no mother should ever have to pay. For two years, the justice system was working. Magistrate Andra Richardson set a high bond based on Nicholas Remington’s record. Judge Reeds carefully reviewed the evidence over months and denied bond at every hearing, making it clear that the safety of the community came first.

In October 2019, the case was bound over to Circuit Court for trial. But instead of moving forward, the defense Neil Rockind delayed the process—canceling and rescheduling the pretrial six times.


  1. November 6, 2019 — Pretrial scheduled for December 18, 2019

  2. December 16, 2019 — Pretrial adjourned to January 22, 2020

  3. January 22, 2020 — Pretrial adjourned to February 26, 2020

  4. February 20, 2020 — Pretrial adjourned to March 23, 2020

  5. February 24, 2020 — Pretrial again confirmed for March 23, 2020

  6. July 22, 2020 — Trial date scheduled for December 7, 2020, at 8:30 a.m.


  • October 1, 2020: Defense attorney Neil Rockind contributes $1,500 to Karen McDonald’s campaign.

  • October 21, 2020: Additional campaign contribution of $2,000.

  • October 29, 2020: Additional campaign contribution of $3,650.

Total contributions: $7,150 — making him one of the highest contributors.



November 3, 2020 -- Karen McDonald was elected as the Oakland County Prosecutor

December 4, 2020 — Defends motion hearing to remove APA Beth Hand was was denied by Judge Alexander [Transcript pp. 22–23] Judge Alexander: I think Ms. Hand was doing her job as a prosecutor, she was talking to a witness who was going to testify at trial. Mr. Rockind, but at this point I'm not about to disqualify the prosecutor or the Prosecutor's Office. Denied the motion.

McDonald was elected Prosecutor on November 3, 2020. During the transition period, her office said she invited Remington defense attorney Neil Rockind, along with several other local defense attorneys, to participate in an informal advisory council created for transition input.

 

Per Detroit News (March 19, 2025), spokesperson Wattrick stated: “Neil Rockind, along with several other prominent local defense attorneys, were invited to participate in this advisory council during the transition in December 2020, well before Prosecutor McDonald was aware of this case. This informal advisory body was not exclusive and does not make policy. It was a vehicle for community input. Additionally, Prosecutor McDonald formed a Law Enforcement Advisory Council and Racial Justice Advisory Council to provide similar community input. These groups are open forums that continue to meet occasionally.” Then Karen McDonald took office in January 2021. Publicly, she said I stand for justice for victims, fairness, and the responsible use of prosecutorial discretion. Those are her stated priorities.  But what I experienced as a victim’s mother was something very different. I experienced indifference. I experienced decisions that, favored power, politics, and relationships over truth. I experienced a prosecutor’s office acting as though a victim’s case could be handled like a matter of convenience, not like a human life stolen and a family destroyed.

January 4, 2021: Marc Keast was appointed as APA to handle the case


February 11, 2021: Pre-Trial Hearing During the 6th pre-trial hearing, Marc Keast informed the Court that the case was “very complicated” in support of the prosecution’s request for adjournment. Notably, defense counsel Neil Rockind addressed the prosecutor by first name in open court—an unusual shift in tone compared to prior proceedings, where he had taken a far more adversarial stance, particularly toward Beth Hand


"Marc Keast just found out over the weekend some information/evidence defendant did not have over the examination. It may required a remand back to the district court, or may defense may file a motion to dismiss. Remand would be more appropriate" Please call Marc so he can explain what the evidence issue is. However, with this information, the defendant's bond must be modified



APA Keast: Yes, Judge. As the Court knows, I was assigned the case in January of this year. I spoke with Mr. Rockind a number of times regarding some issues regarding discovery I did discover from the beginning, in January, obtained a copy of the police report from beginning to end, and sent it to defense counsel. I think January the 28th of 2021, are what my notes reflect. Counsel and co-counsel, Randy Lewis, went through the discovery. They made me aware last Tuesday night that there were two reports in particular that were not turned over to defense. It appears that those two reports were in the prosecutor's office possession in September or October of 2019. In my opinion, those two reports are exculpatory in nature and should have been turned over in a timely fashion. They were not. I believe Mr. Rockind and his office may be filing a motion regarding that. I have suggested my own remedy to Mr. Rockind. That is included in the stipulated order, Judge. In my opinion, a remand, at a minimum, is necessary in this case. That will cause further delay to this case being adjudicated. Defendant has been in custody; I believe since the beginning of this case. In my opinion, the delay, at this point moving forward, is attributable to the State. So, because of that, I do believe that a stipulated order to the effect that was submitted to this Court is appropriate in this case. [Pg 3-5] I have informed the officer in charge, as well as the victim's mother, of the decision that we have made. They both understand the situation that we're in, Judge.


April 9, 2021: People's brief on response defendant supplement motion to quash and dismiss with prejudice APA Keast twist the report and lied to the court about Brady Violation


"Supplemental report #10 details a conversation between Ms. Linda Preka (decedent's mother), former A.P.A. Hand (married name of Wiegand) and the officer in charge of the investigation. See Exhibit .1 That report reflects that Ms. Preka was shown a snapchat message sent on the Defendant's account "Hulkolas," while the Defendant was incarcerated in the Oakland County Jail. According to the report, Ms. Preka showed that snapchat message to both A.P.A. Hand and Detective Balog. As stated, it does not appear that the supplemental report, or information included in that supplemental report, was turned over to defense until undersigned A.P.A. obtained a copy from the Novi Police Department and mailed it in February of this year."


VS Police report states: "On 09/27/2019 The preliminary exam was held on this matter at 52-1 District Court. After the hearing, the Oakland County Prosecutor, Beth Wiegand was shown a new SNAP Chat on Nick Remington’s (HULKOLAS) SNAP CHAT account by the victim Preka's stepfather Jamie Thom. Thom advised Wiegand that he was sent this SNAP CHAT by one of Denis Preka's friends named Avery Eckert on 09/26/2019I will provide transcripts that show, step by step, how the case was effectively dismantled. The central justification relied on two police reports that were described as “favorable to the defense.” Based on my review, there was nothing in those reports that actually supported the defense in any meaningful way.


April 14, 2021: Motion to Dismiss Karen McDonald was present. Neil Rockind was making a mockery of the law and Karen McDonald aided him and failed to represent the people.

Judge Valentine: And Prosecutor McDonald, did you want to put an appearance on?


Ms McDonald: Karen McDonald on behalf of the People.


Judge Valentine: Let me hear from Mr. Keast.


MR. KEAST: Thank you, Judge. " The first line to my response makes clear that I, neither myself nor Prosecutor McDonald, condones anything that happened prior to January 1 of 2021, and let me just reemphasize that, Judge. My first line: The People must emphasize that this responsive pleading does not attempt to excuse or explain the non-disclosure of evidence favorable to defense. I absolutely agree with Mr. Rockind that this evidence should have been turned over in 2019. There is no argument there. I included a list of communications between myself and Mr. Rockind. I generally do not do that, but I wanted the Court to make clear the timeline from when I took over this case and when Prosecutor McDonald took over the office in general. I turned over everything as soon as I was made aware of Mr. Rockind's concerns. And I'm not saying that to be self-serving, Judge, I just want the record to be clear. Now, my sole argument rests with the remedy that the defense is requesting. Not that a violation occurred, but the remedy. And the remedy I have suggested wasn't picked out of thin air. It's based upon the law. When the Court reads Brady v Maryland, and every case that's come down since then, when the Court reads the cases regarding prosecutorial, judicial, police misconduct, the Court will find that a remedy is specifically and narrowly tailored to the violation. And again, these aren't remedies that I'm just suggesting or throwing out there. I'm not suggesting it's a do-over, no harm, no foul. My remedy is consistent with the law. Now, there's a few cases I want to point out to the Court. The most specific case is from the Michigan Court of Appeals. It's in my brief. It's regarding blanket judicial and prosecutorial misconduct. It's a case from Wayne County where the assistant prosecuting attorney"


MR. ROCKIND: And I know they can't, Judge. But the people that took over Enron, for example, they could have been the most honorable people in the world, they were still handed -- they were still handed all of the violations and abuses that occurred before they took over. We aren't faulting Ms. McDonald or Mr. Keast. We're just saying that Mr. Remington is not lost in this mix, this impacts him. Because it's not Mr. Keast or Ms. McDonald's fault, they're the ones who are left to sort of sweep up the remains here, but Mr. Remington is the one who has suffered throughout this because of those abuses. And there is a price to be paid and the People are the one that have to pay that price. And that price is dismissal.


THE COURT: Prosecutor McDonald, anything you want to state for the record?


MS. MCDONALD: No, Your Honor. I have confidence in Mr. Keast that he articulated our position accurately.


MR. KEAST: Judge, when this information was first made to light, I believe I included that in my brief, my suggestion to counsel was the remedy early on, and then counsel indicated he was going to file this motion.


April 15 2021: Motion to Dismiss Judge Valentine praise the Prosecutors for their hypocrisy


Judge Valentine: (Indiscernible) with the Snapchat. I mean, there needs to be -there needs to be complete transparency with regard to any and all discovery, any and all information. You know, going back a year and a half to make police reports and notes, I'm not satisfied with. And I'm not satisfied with regard to the review, you know, ensuring that everything was looked for and turned over. And it's not that I have any information, it's only, Mr. Keast, that you weren't able to honestly answer questions, which I sincerely appreciate from your office, that you've been completely, you know, transparent. And, you know, I see a very bright road ahead with regard to how things are going to change and be done differently. And your honesty with regard to not having requested certain information from witnesses, etc., is refreshing, but I need to make sure that both of our functions, all of our functions in the judicial system are upheld for the entire public.

So I want to make sure that there is enough sufficient time for you, sir, to satisfy yourself and to present an affidavit that everything has been searched for and that there has been – anything that's in your custody or control has been turned over."


KEAST: I appreciate that, Judge.


May 18, 2021: Status Conference Judge Valentine make a decision to exclude all the evidence (All on base of APA lies about APA Hand)


Judge Valentine: I will tell you that the Snapchat information will be excluded. As far as anything from the (indiscernible) account, that's going to be excluded. I just can't find any -- I can't find anywhere where it would be reliable at this point.....I would say in my mind it was more the thought process of it just can't be reliable based upon the arguments that Ms. Hand was making to the court at the exact same time that she had information otherwise. It's just not reliable, in my opinion


  • Pursuant to MCR 6.201, al discoverable information shall be turned over to Defense Counsel within 14 days of the date of this Opinion and Order;


  • All Snapchat evidence relating to the "Hulkolas" account is excluded as it is unreliable;


  • An affidavit from both the former Assistant Prosecutor Hand, and the current Assistant Prosecutor Mark Keast shall be provided to Defense Counsel and filed with the Court within the 7 days of the date of this Order, detailing all known evidence. The affidavit shall include a list of all evidence the current and former Assistant prosecutors have knowledge of that has any relation to this case. The affidavit shall also include the date of a n disclosure or production to the Defendants' counsel of the evidence and a list of any information that has not yet been produced;


  • And, while this Court finds no fault in the handing of the Preliminary Examination by the experienced and esteemed Judge Reed, the Court finds that in the interest of justice, this case shall be remanded to District Court and shall be heard by a new judge. This opinion does not address any Motions or issues previously filed by Plaintiff but adjourned by Plaintiff's counsel.

For the reasons stated above, Defendant's Motion to Dismiss with Prejudice is Granted in Part and Denied in Part.


What is deeply concerning is that Judge Valentine made decisions and accepted those representations without fully examining the substance of those reports and quashed all including my son's horrific video. Under pressure from the defense and, I firmly believe , influenced by the prosecutors falsely accusing APA Beth Hand the court ultimately quashed critical evidence. That is who Karen McDonald is to my family: a prosecutor who, treats prosecutorial discretion as if it were personal power instead of a public trust. A prosecutor who acts as though she can wake up in the morning and sort through people’s lives the way someone sorts laundry in a house—keeping what serves her, discarding what does not, and never stopping long enough to remember that every file is a human being, every case number is a family, and every delay or betrayal leaves permanent scars.

My son is not a case number to me. He was my child. He was the baby I held in my arms. The boy I raised. The young man I watched grow. He had a future. He had love. He had plans. He had a life ahead of him. And now all I have are memories, grief, and the horror of knowing that some of his final moments were captured on Snapchat. I have had to live with the existence of those videos, knowing that a mother should never have to witness even a second of her child’s suffering, much less carry that knowledge for years while being told, in essence, that what she knows and what she has seen do not matter enough.

That is why I say I am not speaking from emotion alone. I am speaking from proximity. I am speaking from years of paying attention. From years of reading, learning, uncovering, and refusing to be silent. I am speaking as someone who believes she discovered things in her son’s case that should have alarmed any honest prosecutor’s office. I am speaking as someone who believes that instead of confronting those issues directly, Karen McDonald’s office chose a path that protected itself.

Karen McDonald has shown that she does not understand what justice means to victim families. Justice is not a slogan. It is not a press release. It is not a campaign message. Justice means telling the truth even when it is uncomfortable. Justice means standing with victims when it costs something. Justice means not using discretion as a shield for misconduct, favoritism, or political convenience. Justice means remembering that prosecutors do not own their offices. They are entrusted with them.

That is why I reject any attempt to portray Karen McDonald as a champion for victims. A true champion for victims does not leave mothers feeling abandoned. A true champion for victims does not make families beg to be heard. A true champion for victims does not make people believe that connections matter more than truth. A true champion for victims does not leave behind a trail of pain and then ask the public for a promotion.

So when people ask me who Karen McDonald is, I answer this way: she is the face of everything I have learned can go wrong when power loses its conscience. She is, in my view, a prosecutor who forgot that her oath was to justice, not to herself. She is someone who may speak in the language of reform and fairness, but whose actions in my son’s case taught me that victims can still be discarded when they become inconvenient.

And I want the people of Michigan to understand this clearly: I am not going away. I am Denis’s mother. I know what I have seen. I know what I have lived. I know what this office has done to my family. And before anyone hands Karen McDonald more power, they need to hear from the mothers, the families, and the victims who paid the price under her leadership. They need to know that behind every speech, every title, and every campaign promise, there are families like mine still carrying the weight of what happened.

Karen McDonald may see politics. I see my son’s grave.

Karen McDonald may see discretion. I see a betrayal of public trust.

Karen McDonald may think people will forget. I will not.

I will keep speaking. I will keep pushing. I will keep opening every door I can until the truth is heard—not only for Denis, but for every family that has felt ignored, dismissed, or abused by a Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald that she's supposed to protect victims not criminal like Remington.

Justice for Denis. Justice for every family. Please subscribe to our upcoming Justice for Denis Podcast.

This is more than a podcast—it is a voice for my son, Denis, and for every family who has felt unheard. I will be sharing what I have lived through, and we will invite other victims and families to come forward and share their truth.

 
 
 

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