Inmate arraigned on First-Degree Murder charge after alleged killing at the Macomb Correctional Facility

Mount Clemens, Mich. – Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido announced that Aaron Samir Akel, 50, has been arraigned on charges in connection with the alleged killing of his cellmate at the Macomb County Correctional Facility in New Haven, Mich. in April 2026.

It is alleged that in the early morning on April 22, 2026, Akel allegedly strangled his 73-year-old cellmate, Daniel Hosmer, before stabbing him in one eye and impaling him through the other eye with a broken broomstick handle. Hosmer was discovered later in the morning by another inmate. Jail staff responded immediately and attempted life-saving measures, but Hosmer succumbed to his injuries.

On Monday, July 20, 2026, Akel was arraigned before Magistrate Genevieve L. Taylor of the 42-2 District Court in New Baltimore, Mich. on the following offenses:

• Homicide – Murder First Degree – Premeditated, a felony punishable by life without parole
• Prisons – Prisoner Possessing Weapons, a 5-year felony
• Habitual Offender – Second Offense Notice, an aggravating sentencing factor.

These are the maximum charges available under the law based upon the evidence presented to date.

Magistrate Taylor set Akel's bond at $500,000 cash/surety. Akel is currently incarcerated at the Ionia Correctional Facility, where he is serving an unrelated sentence. He is scheduled to appear before Judge William H. Hackel III in the 42-2 District Court for a Probable Cause Conference on Monday, August 10, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.

"No matter who the victim is or the allegations surrounding their past, no one has the right to take another person's life. Our responsibility is to uphold the law, seek justice, and ensure that those accused of violent crimes are held accountable through the judicial process," stated Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido.

The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office represents the People. We are committed to achieving justice and following the laws of the State of Michigan. All individuals who are accused of a crime are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of