Dean Catlin Metcalfe, 44, was arraigned in a courtroom packed with Andre Bosse's relatives on charges of premeditated murder and first-degree felony murder in her June 1997 disappearance. He also is accused of raping her.
District Judge Michael Nolan set bond at $1 million, even though Metcalfe is currently serving two life prison terms for unrelated molestations. Muskegon County Prosecutor Tony Tague had asked for $500,000 bond.
"Obviously we consider you an extreme danger to society, especially young girls," Nolan told Metcalfe.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 6. Nolan entered an innocent plea to all the charges on Metcalfe's behalf.
Metcalfe told the judge he needed a public defender and understood the charges, but said little else in court.
The victim's grandmother, Vicki Bosse, said the family was pleased with the charges, but the pain still remains. The family sued and won a $10 million civil judgment against Metcalfe last year.
"I have a lot of mixed and confused feelings. No matter what happens, Andre isn't coming back," said Vicki Bosse, who wore a shirt with a photo of her granddaughter. "We'd like to find her body."
Andre's body was never found, but Tague said he is confident he will be able to prove Metcalfe killed the girl. Prosecutors contend Metcalfe abducted Andre at gunpoint from her Twin Lake home on June 17, 1997, then bound her with plastic cinch straps before raping and fatally shooting her in the head.
"It's highly unusual, but it has been done," Tague said, adding similar prosecutions in Michigan have succeeded.
Metcalfe, a neighbor of the girl's family and the father of Andre's best friend, admitted to authorities that he killed Andre, but later recanted his confession after a plea bargain fell through. Tague said he expects similar statements Metcalfe reportedly made to others, including a police officer and other prison inmates, will be admitted in court.
Tague said genetic evidence also links Metcalfe to the girl.
DNA analysis confirmed that body fluids found on Metcalfe's T-shirt at the time of his arrest were Bosse's. A palm print found inside Metcalfe's truck camper matches one found on the dresser in Andre's bedroom, Tague said.
A bite mark found on Metcalfe's finger could have come from the girl, forensic dental experts said.
"I believe this brings at least some closure to the family, but we will not stop our search for the remains of the body," Tague said.
Metcalfe is currently incarcerated at the Oaks Correctional Facility, in Manistee, where he is serving two life terms - subject to parole in 15 years - for the unrelated sexual molestations of two other girls. He will spend the next two weeks in the Muskegon County Jail awaiting his preliminary hearing.
09-23-98
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