Detroit funeral home director acquitted in cousin's slaying

A Detroit funeral home director was acquitted in the shooting death of his cousin after his defense attorney argued that he fired his weapon in self defense.

A Wayne County jury found Thursday that Major Clora Jr., 41, was not guilty of second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of his estranged cousin, Michael Walker, 58, said his attorney, Otis Culpepper.

Clora was charged with shooting and killing Walker Aug. 10, 2020, in a parking lot outside of Clora Funeral Home, the family funeral service.

Culpepper said the jury found that Walker's death was a justifiable homicide and that it was self-defense.

"We found out his cousin had been stalking him all that day," Culpepper said. "He blocked his vehicle in at the funeral home and brushed past one employee, threatening to kill Mr. Clora. He rushed on Mr. Cora, and Mr. Clora consistently backed up before he was pushed, struck and threatened. Then he fired one shot."

Assistant Prosecutor Maria Miller said the office stands by their charging of the case.

“This was a case that demanded that a jury hear the facts and evidence,” Miller said. “The jury in this case decided to acquit. We respect their decision and we’re thankful for their participation.”

Walker may have been looking for money he believed he was owed, Culpepper said, based on claims he made to other people.

"One of the things that impressed the jury was, from the time his cousin pushed him, struck him and threatened him, at the same time, it was less than 2 seconds," Culpepper said. "It happened extremely quickly."

Bernard Sanders, a cousin, testified at the preliminary examination in 2020 that Walker threatened Clora, saying if he didn't get his money, he was going to "kill" him. Walker made "a motion" toward Clora, Sanders said, and he "saw him swing." As he tried to call police, he heard a pop and saw blood on Walker's shirt.

kberg@detroitnews.com