Pontiac businessman stabbed to death; homeless man in custody

By Jennifer Chambers The Detroit News

Pontiac - A Pontiac businessman was stabbed to death Thursday inside his novelty store, and a homeless man is in custody in connection with his death, police said.

Pontiac police were called to Three Doors Down at 714 W. Huron about 5:30 p.m. where they found owner John Martin Cox of West Bloomfield Township laying face down on the floor with multiple stab wounds.

Officers said Cox was unresponsive and not breathing. Several items inside the store had been knocked over, suggesting a struggle, investigators said.

Cox was taken to Pontiac Osteopathic Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Doctors found approximately 12 stab wounds to the victim's back, neck, forearm and hands, Sgt. Kevin Braddock said.

Detectives obtained footage from a nearby business' surveillance camera that showed a man entering and exiting the store just before the call came in to police, Braddock said.

Officers searched the area and found a suspect matching the description of the person in the video. The man was detained and a cellular telephone was recovered from him that belonged to Cox, Braddock said.

Police said the suspect, a 19-year-old homeless man, confessed to the stabbing and was arrested.

The suspect is to be arraigned Sunday or Monday, officials said.

jchambers@detnews.com (734) 462-2289