Tenant charged with murder in Michigan murder case

Michael Thorne Anderson is charged with one count of murder.

Michael Thorne Anderson is charged with one count of murder.

JACKSON, Mich. -- Authorities have charged a tenant in the homicide of Larry Smith, whose body was discovered in his Woodstock Township home Sunday.

Michael Thorne Anderson, 56, of 11818 Silver Lake Hway., is charged with one count of murder. 

Larry Smith, 66, also resided at the 11818 Silver Lake Hwy., and was the accused man’‍s landlord, Sheriff Jack Welsh said.

“There had been an ongoing landlord-tenant dispute between them,” Sheriff Welsh said.

The suspect was arraigned this afternoon and remains in the Lenawee County Jail without bail. 

Mr. Smith died of blunt force trauma, Sheriff Welsh said. An autopsy also is scheduled for today, the sheriff said.

Sheriff‘s deputies discovered the body when they were called to the home at 7:34 p.m. Sunday for a “welfare complaint.” When they arrived, they found Mr. Smith.