Talking Parrot May Be the Sole Witness to a Homicide
— -- A Michigan couple thinks a talking parrot may be able to shed some light on their son's homicide.
Lillian and Charles Duram, of Grand Rapids, say the African grey bird named Bud, which lived with their son Martin and his wife Glenna, may have witnessed the events leading to his shooting death in May of last year. Glenna also suffered a gunshot wound to the head, but survived and is now a suspect, according to ABC station WABC.
The bird was filmed mimicking what Martin’s parents believe was an exchange between Martin and Glenna, WABC reported. Ultimately, Bud keeps repeating the phrase, “Don’t f---ing shoot," leading the grieving parents to believe the bird was present for the moment of their son's death.
"When he started talking about the shooting, we listened because he does pick up things," Charles Duram told ABC News, adding that he believes his son and his wife had a quarrel.
Police believe Glenna shot Martin five times before shooting herself once, according to WABC. They say she left three suicide notes and the gun used to commit the homicide belonged to the family. Glenna has denied killing her husband, telling police she didn't remember anything until she woke up in the hospital, WABC reported.
"When couples have fights, sometimes they lose control," Duram said. "I don't want nobody convicted that didn’t do the crime."
Doreen Plotkowski, the owner of Casa la Parrot in Grand Rapids, says she believes Bud is on to something, but whether or not it could impact the case is another story, WABC reported.
"It's definitely an argument between a man and a woman," she said of the recorded exchange, adding that it's not unusual for African grey parrots to mimic male and female voices. "In my mind, it's something that he's heard, definitely heard before."
Prosecutors are expected to make a decision on charges within two to three weeks, according to WABC.
Michigan State Police, the Newaygo County prosecutor's office and Glenna Duram did not immediately respond to ABC News' requests for comment.
