Defendant in Highwaymen case is killed
Paul Egan / The Detroit News

Detroit -- A member of the Highwaymen Motorcycle Club who was a defendant in a massive federal racketeering case has been murdered, but officials said Monday they don't believe the killing is related to the court case.

Dennis Vanhulle, 43, who was known by the nickname "Gone," was shot in northeast Detroit about two to three weeks ago and died Saturday at Detroit Receiving Hospital, his attorney, Corbett Edge O'Meara, said Monday.

He opened the door of his Detroit residence and was shot in the throat, officials said. As of Monday, no one was charged in the killing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Marion, who is prosecuting the Highwaymen case, said federal agents are involved in the investigation of Vanhulle's killing but initial indications were that the killing was not related to the racketeering case.

Vanhulle, who worked as a carpenter, had not signed a plea agreement or even had discussions with federal prosecutors, O'Meara said.

More than 80 club members and associates are charged in the case and Vanhulle was not among the six alleged club leaders whose trial began April 1 and continued Monday.

Vanhulle faced charges of racketeering, threats, murder conspiracy and transportation of stolen goods. He was scheduled to stand trial along with 13 other defendants July 6.

"Dennis was a great guy; he was one of my few clients that I actually liked as a human being," O'Meara said.

His survivors include a former wife, an adult daughter and a young son, he said.