NEWSPAPERS n o i t i d E l a i c e Sp
MAY 1, 2024 candgnews.com
Grosse Pointe and Macomb County papers
ANTON CENTER ANNOUNCES NEW DIRECTOR
Dr. Werner Spitz was for many years the chief medical examiner in both Wayne and Macomb counties. He died April 14 at the age of 97. Photo provided by Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com
‘WHAT AN ICON HE WAS’
MOUNT CLEMENS — The wait is over. Around four months after its prior director left, the Anton Art Center announced on April 5 that Matt Matthews was selected to serve as the new executive director. “So far it’s been great,” Matthews said, about a week after he began the role on April 2. “(I’m) learning a lot and have a wonderful team to work with.” Matthews comes to the Anton Art Center after spending the last five years as the associate director of Playworks Michigan, an organization that aims to increase physical activity opportunities for elementary school students. “After college I worked at Northwest Missouri State University for several years, moved back to Michigan in 2010 and sort of fell into nonprofit work, and that’s what I’ve been doing for the last 14 years,” Matthews said. The 14 years of nonprofit work was only part of what See DIRECTOR on page 10A
COMMUNITY REMEMBERS FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST WERNER SPITZ BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — From testifying at the O.J. Simpson civil case in 1996 to offering his perspective in the Chappaquiddick incident that involved Ted Kennedy and Mary Jo Kopechne in 1969, Werner Spitz was widely known for providing his expertise on the witness stand. The prominent forensic pathologist was sought after in the court system for his knowledge in forensic evidence and his testimony regarding many highprofile murders that drew public interest and media attention. The longtime chief medical examiner — who performed or supervised more than 60,000 autopsies during his career — died April 14 at the age of 97. He was a resident of Grosse Pointe Shores. Many in the community are remembering the well-known fo-
rensic expert. Warren City Council member Mindy Moore felt “very sad” when she learned Spitz died. Moore, a freelance court reporter, has known Spitz since the late 1970s when he was the chief Wayne County medical examiner. She was present for many depositions he provided over the years. “What an icon he was. He was quite brilliant and so effective,” she said. “He had a way about him. His whole career was fascinating. When he spoke, all eyes were on him. You knew what he would say would be impactful and very important. He certainly was one of a kind.” Sometimes the evidence presented in court could be very technical, and Moore said Spitz was always able to explain it “so any lay person could understand him.” One deposition that stands out was the time the forensics expert testified in a case to deSee SPITZ on page 5A
New Anton Art Center Executive Director Matt Matthews, left, stands with education & community engagement manager Peggy DiMercurio. Photo by Dean Vaglia