The 46 year old man accused of killing his live-in girlfriend has been arraigned. Thomas Lappin of Casco Township is charged with one count of open murder and one count of felony firearm in connecting to the January 21st death of 26 year old Carrie Neusius. According to St. Clair County Sheriff Tim Donnellon, the incident began with a 911 call from Lappin’s stepfather, who had heard strange noises coming from inside the house in the 9200 block of Puttygut Road. A deputy from the Sheriff’s Office and two troopers from the Michigan State Police went to the home. The deputy discovered bullet holes in the side of the house which had come from inside. He looked through a window and saw Neusius, obviously dead lying on the floor. Lappin was discovered lying on the floor, uninjured but very intoxicated. He was taken to River District Hospital. Once he was cleared, he was taken into custody and transported to the St. Clair County Intervention and Detention Center. At the request of Prosecuting Attorney Mona Armstrong and due to the nature of the crime, Lappin is being held without bond pending his preliminary hearing in Marine City’s 72nd District Court. That hearing is scheduled for February 7th at 9:30 a.m. before Judge Mike Hulewicz.
