Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Michigan Woman Gets Life for 2015 Murder Marked by Parrot’s Chilling Phrase

The conviction rested on suicide notes, evidence of heavy gambling debts, rather than the parrot’s words.

Overview

  • Police found Martin Duram dead from five gunshot wounds in the couple’s Michigan home in 2015, with Glenna Duram nearby suffering a head wound from the same weapon.
  • Glenna told officers she had no idea what happened and said she did not see who fired the shots.
  • The couple’s African Grey parrot, Bud, repeatedly vocalized “Don’t shoot… don’t f***ing shoot,” which relatives said sounded like Martin’s voice.
  • Prosecutors considered the parrot’s utterances but ruled them out as unreliable, instead presenting suicide notes and records of severe gambling-related debt.
  • A jury delivered a unanimous first-degree murder verdict after one day of deliberations, and Glenna Duram was later sentenced to life in prison.