A Wayne County man accused of killing a Detroit neurosurgeon pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder, abruptly ending jury selection on the second day of trial.
Desmond Burks, 35, admitted in Wayne County Circuit Court to killing Dr. Devon Hoover inside the doctor’s Detroit home in April 2023. Burks also pleaded guilty to a separate manslaughter charge for a fatal road rage incident in 2024 involving another victim.
Sentencing in both cases is scheduled for Feb. 20.
Burks had originally been charged with first-degree murder in Hoover’s death. Under the plea agreement, he will serve a sentence of 40 to 60 years in prison on the second-degree murder conviction.
Hoover was a neurosurgeon formerly employed by Ascension Healthcare. Prosecutors said Burks and Hoover had a sexual relationship prior to the killing.
According to court records, Burks admitted he shot Hoover twice in the head, hid the body inside the Boston Edison district home, and stole more than $20,000 in cash, credit cards, and jewelry.
Prosecutors said Burks spent thousands of dollars on jewelry at a Dearborn mall shortly after the killing. Investigators also alleged Burks asked a friend to hold a bag containing a firearm and surgical goggles labeled with Hoover’s name.
Burks also pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of Reda Saleh, who was fatally injured during a road rage confrontation on April 17, 2024.
During the plea hearing, Burks claimed Saleh damaged his vehicle and said he slapped Saleh during the confrontation. Burks admitted his actions led to Saleh’s death.
Prosecutors said Burks left Saleh lying in the roadway at the intersection of West Chicago and Greenfield Road and fled the scene. Saleh later died from his injuries on May 11.
Burks was not arrested in Hoover’s killing until August 2024.
Defense attorney Gabi Silver said Burks’ decision to plead guilty was sudden and declined further comment.
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