Leyton Issues Charges in 1985 Murder of Flint Store Clerk

Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton has issued murder charges in the 1985 murder of a store clerk in the City of Flint.

William Hoss, 46, is currently serving a prison sentence at the Macomb Correctional Facility in New Haven, Michigan for other convictions, has been charged with Open Murder and Felony Firearm in the 1985 death of store clerk Darlene Ann Paul.

Just after 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 8th, 1985, Flint Police responded to a robbery and shooting that occurred at Darlene's Market on Corunna Road. When they arrived at the scene, they found Paul dead from a gun shot wound laying face down on the floor. Witnesses saw Paul collapse and were able to give a description of the suspect who was seen running from the market to a vehicle parked nearby. Police collected samples of blood from a trail that was found leading from the store to the spot around the corner where witnesses saw the suspect get into the getaway car. Over the years, these samples were submitted to the Michigan State Police Crime Lab for analysis.

In January this year, the Flint Police Violent Crimes Task Force received a market report from the Crime Lab that connected Hoss to the blood evidence collected at the market. Based on DNA evidence, witness reports at the time of the murder, and other evidence, the murder charges against Hoss were authorized and sworn out in 68th District Court.

A pre-trial conference and preliminary exam will be scheduled in 68th District Court.