‘Eyewitness’ parrot mimicked murder victim’s last words’

The ex-wife of a Michigan man believes a parrot is repeating something said just before his fatal shooting, but a prosecutor is downplaying whether that could be used in court.

“I’m not aware of any legal precedent for that,” said Newaygo County Prosecutor Robert Springstead.

“Certainly, as we work our way through the case, that may be something to look at, but I highly doubt there is any precedent for that.”

Also, Springstead said, when a judge asks a witness to raise his or her right hand, “to a parrot, are you raising a wing, a foot?”

Martin Duram, 45, was shot five times in his home in Ensley Township in May 2015.

Then-wife Glenna Duram had a head wound, but survived. Duram’s ex-wife, Christina Keller, now owns Bud, an African grey parrot that has repeated “don’t fucking shoot” in Martin Duram’s voice, she told WOOD-TV.

His parents agree with her. Mr Duram’s father told local media: “I personally think he was there, and he remembers it and he was saying it.”

But Springstead said he hasn’t heard it. “I tried to on my smartphone and online. I couldn’t get the audio feed to work,” he said.

No charges have been filed in the case and Martin Duram’s death remains under investigation.

“As soon as I receive the investigation, I will make a charging decision,” said Springstead. “I expect that to happen in the next few weeks.”