Apr 27, 2016 3 min read

A Westland man reportedly told state police investigators at least 15 times during an interview he fired the shot that killed his cousin after the two reportedly got into an argument over a set of keys during a family birthday party earlier this month.

Joshua Jamar Moss, 28, of 151 Meadow St., was ordered held for court Wednesday by District Judge Traci McDonald on charges of homicide and persons not to possess firearms in the April 17 shooting death of 21-year-old Robert Edward Kramer Jr. outside their Mt. Pleasant Township home following a preliminary hearing in Central Court.

Kramer’s family and friends sat in the courtroom during the proceeding wearing white T-shirts emblazoned with “Justice for Bobby” in red letters.

State police Trooper James Petrosky interviewed Moss at the state police barracks about three hours after the shooting.

“He admitted 15 times to shooting Kramer during the interview,” Petrosky said.

A neighbor, William Windsheimer, testified the families and some neighbors were gathered in the backyard of a duplex celebrating the birthday of Walter Turner, who he identified as Kramer’s stepfather. Moss and Kramer resided on different sides of a duplex at 151 and 153 Meadow St.

Windsheimer testified Moss was playing a cornhole game in the backyard when he and Kramer got into an argument about keys to the car of the sister of Kramer’s girlfriend that Moss apparently had in his possession. Kramer punched his cousin in the face and Moss pulled out a knife, Windsheimer testified. The two were separated, and the knife was taken from Moss.

Kramer then returned to his home, carrying his infant daughter who Windsheimer said will soon turn 1, to lay her down. Moss returned to his house.

Windsheimer went to the front of the duplex when he saw Moss walk around a sport-utility vehicle.

“He was arguing with his dad who told him, ‘Josh, don’t do this,'” Windsheimer said. “I saw him push his dad out of the way. He shot Bobby right in the chest.”

Under cross-examination by Glenn Alterio, a public defender representing Moss, Windsheimer said Kramer was getting into his girlfriend’s car when he was shot.

“He turned and said ‘Are you serious?’ to Josh,” Windsheimer said.

A relative grabbed Moss and held him down until Mt. Pleasant police Officer Amanda Brewer arrived and took him into custody. Kramer’s grandfather took the shotgun and put it on a back porch. Brewer retrieved it, cleared the weapon and placed it in the police cruiser.

Brewer said she did not talk with Moss, although he told her “When I get to jail, I am going to kill myself.”

Petrosky said Moss told investigators he was sober, but he reportedly admitted to drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana earlier that day. Moss told investigators after the initial confrontation with his cousin, he went back into the house and up to his bedroom.

“He said he sat there for a few minutes and got the shotgun from his closet,” Petrosky testified. “The gun was empty so he loaded it. He said he walked down to the first floor, out the door and onto Meadow Street. He then walked back toward the house and confronted the victim.”

“He said he told the victim ‘It doesn’t have to be this type of party,'” Petrosky added. “The victim started coming toward him. He raised the shotgun and shot his cousin in the chest.”

Kramer died of a single gunshot wound to the neck and chest, said Washington County Coroner Tim Warco.

Moss remains in Washington County jail where he is being held without bond.