Jury has case of dad charged with covering up dismemberment

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) - Jurors heard closing arguments but didn't reach a verdict Friday in the trial of a man who is accused of assisting his son after the dismemberment of a western Michigan woman.

A prosecutor said James Chance had an opportunity to tell investigators what happened to the body of Ashley Young when he drove son Jared Chance to the Grand Rapids police department in December 2018. The son wanted a lawyer and wasn't immediately arrested.

'œThe minute he walked out of GRPD and they left, the evidence was tampered with and moved with the purpose to help Jared,'ť assistant prosecutor Lawrence Boivin told jurors.

Jared Chance, 30, is serving a 100-year prison sentence for murder and dismemberment. James Chance, 77, is charged with perjury and being an accessory after the dismemberment. Wife and mother Barbara Chance, 64, pleaded no contest to the same charges Monday.

Young's torso was found in the basement of Jared Chance's Grand Rapids rental home. They knew each other. Other remains of the 31-year-old woman haven't been found.

James Chance's attorney told jurors that charging the father was 'œirresponsible.'ť

'œJim Chance has the courage to bring his son to the police department. ... He took his son to face the consequences for murder," Laura Joyce said.

The Kent County jury will resume deliberations Monday. James Chance of Holland is a retired Rock Island, Illinois, police officer.