Slain woman remembered as family seeks justice

• Attorney says homeowner thought McBride was breaking into his home
• Family members say McBride died as a result of racial profiling
• Investigators haven%27t determined whether criminal charges will be filed

DETROIT -- On the day of Renisha McBride's funeral, her family asked others to be patient as investigators determine whether to file criminal charges against the Dearborn Heights man who shot the 19-year-old woman on his porch a week ago.

The family's comments came Friday as several civil rights leaders, including the Rev. Al Sharpton, and Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., called for justice and a thorough investigation in the case.

McBride was shot in the face Nov. 2 as she stood on the porch of a home around 3:40 a.m. Her family has said she was seeking help after being involved in an auto accident that night.

The attorney for the homeowner, speaking for the first time Friday, said she looks forward to telling his side of the story but declined to name him. He told police he thought McBride was breaking into his home.

"I know this may ring hollow unless you knew this man, but this is really weighing on him," Bloomfield Hills criminal defense attorney Cheryl Carpenter said. "He realizes the extent of this tragedy. Right now, he's a monster in the eyes of the public. I can't wait to share who he really is."

A nearly three-hour service was held Friday for McBride at House of Prayer & Praise Cathedral. The funeral program was filled with pictures of her smiling at a Disney theme park, holding a puppy and spending time with family and friends.

McBride, who worked for Ford Motor Co., loved cars and shopping, according to the program.

Outside the funeral, her maternal great-aunt, Kay Lumpkin, 48, of Dearborn Heights, said the service emphasized the tragedy of McBride's death.

"The message was it's a tragedy that didn't have to happen, and not to let this be swept under the rug," Lumpkin said.

Investigation continues

McBride's family members have said they believe the young African-American woman died as a result of racial profiling.

"It's very, very, very hard to believe that it was an accident when the gun is in her face, and it goes off accidentally," attorney Gerald Thurswell, who represents McBride's family, said outside the church before the funeral started.

Carpenter said the homeowner — whom she described as 54, white and living alone — voluntarily went to the Dearborn Heights police station for questioning after the shooting.

"He was sleeping and he was awakened between 3:30 and 4:30 a.m. by sounds of a person trying to come into his home," said Carpenter, calling the shooting "a tragedy for everybody involved."

"He's torn up," she said. "That's the best way to say it."

McBride remembered

Lumpkin said McBride had an outgoing personality and was a cheerleader who graduated in 2012 from Southfield High School.

"She loved to be around family and friends — and to have fun," said her great-aunt.

Krystal Byrd, 27, of Detroit, remembered her cousin as a successful young person, one who "had (good) things going for herself," but had challenges behind the wheel.

"Her first car, she tore it up, and her daddy got her a new one. Anything she wanted, she got. And her second car, she tore that up too. And I think she did another one," said Byrd, who wore a T-shirt emblazoned with "R.I.P. Cuzen."

Calls for action

The Canton-based Arab American Civil Rights League wrote letters today to Dearborn Heights Police Chief Lee Gavin and Worthy calling for "a full and thorough investigation."

Sharpton also made a plea in the case, which has drawn national attention.

"We are in prayer for the family of Renisha McBride but we are also urgently calling for justice for the loss of this daughter, sister, and friend," said Sharpton, who leads the National Action Network.

Conyers said Friday: "The shooting death of Renisha McBride has left the Detroit area hurt and asking many questions about how an unarmed 19-year-old young woman, reportedly seeking assistance in the middle of the night, could so tragically lose her life.

"There has been discussion about the impact of Michigan's controversial stand your ground laws and whether they contributed to this incident. I have long opposed laws of this nature. I am confident that Wayne County prosecutors and law enforcement will conduct a thorough investigation to ensure that justice is served for Renisha's family."