**Public Barred from Preliminary Hearing in McDonald’s Stabbing Case Following Violent Altercations**
EASTPOINTE, MI — A preliminary hearing for Afeni Badu Muhammad, the woman accused of fatally stabbing her McDonald’s manager, Jennifer Harris, took a chaotic turn Tuesday as multiple altercations erupted, prompting the judge to evict the public from the courtroom.
The incident unfolded at the Macomb County courthouse, where tensions ran high as family members and supporters of both the accused and the victim clashed shortly after the hearing began. Eyewitnesses reported shouts and physical scuffles, with security staff struggling to maintain order. The courtroom descended into pandemonium when an attempt was made to bring knives into the proceedings, leading to immediate responses from law enforcement.
Judge James K. Baird, visibly shaken by the turmoil, made the unprecedented decision to temporarily ban the public from the hearing for safety reasons. “We cannot have a courtroom that turns to chaos,” he stated, reinforcing the need for a secure environment to ensure a fair legal process. The proceedings continued, stripped of public presence, with only essential court personnel and attorneys remaining.
Muhammad, 27, stands accused of the fatal stabbing of Harris during a dispute at the Eastpointe McDonald’s earlier this month. Harris, a well-respected manager, succumbed to her injuries despite immediate medical attention. The community has reacted with shock, and tensions were palpable in the courtroom as family members grappled with the tragedy.
As lawyers presented initial arguments and evidence, the atmosphere remained tense. The judge emphasized, “We must proceed with decorum.” The court has yet to set a new date to potentially reopen the hearings to the public as the case continues.
