MOUNT CLEMENS, MI – Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido announced that Judge Matthew P. Sabaugh ordered an independent expert evaluate the criminal culpability of Endi Bala who is accused of kidnapping and attempt unlawful imprisonment related to events that occurred in August 2024.
On Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, at a Pretrial Hearing at the Macomb County Circuit Court, it was expected that Bala would plead Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity after a doctor at the Michigan Forensic Center, a state-run psychiatric facility, found him to be not culpable due to legal insanity.
Judge Sabaugh declined to accept the plea. The judge ordered an independent evaluation of Bala.
Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido stated that he understands the families’ desire for another evaluation. He added, “I am comfortable with the judge’s decision. I understand that the families are seeking justice, and I want them to feel assured and supported throughout the process. As I have previously stated, I do not intend to challenge the experts at the Michigan Forensic Center, whose expertise the Prosecutor’s Office relies upon. We are not psychiatrists and have no independent basis to dispute their findings. We will await the results of the additional evaluation.”
The court set the date of Friday, March 20, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. for an in-person hearing with both doctors expected to testify.
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 that are accused of a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office
Contact: Esther E. Wolfe, Communications Director
Office: 586-469-5737
Cell: 586-842-4421
Email: esther.wolfe@macombgov.org
