Warren man convicted of killing ex-girlfriend in front of children

A Macomb County man was convicted of fatally shooting his former girlfriend in front of her children.

James Rockett III, 43, was found guilty Friday of first degree murder and felony firearm. A Macomb County jury deliberated just one hour after hearing four days of testimony, according the county Prosecutor's Office.

Rockett was accused of shooting his former girlfriend, Michelle Diane Siegel, 37, 15 times at her Warren home in March 2022 in front of her two children.

First degree murder is punishable by life in prison without the possibility of parole while felony firearm involves a two-year mandatory sentence. Rockett is scheduled to be sentenced by Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Jennifer Faunce on June 6.

Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido thanked the jury, saying it weighed the evidence and rendering a decision.

“While we cannot erase the pain inflicted, we stand together in the pursuit of justice, honoring the memory of the life taken and striving to prevent such tragedies from ever occurring again,” he said in a prepared statement.

Macomb Daily contributed.