If you live anywhere near Washtenaw County, you’ve probably heard the name Anthony Flanagan Ann Arbor whispered in grocery store lines or seen it flash across a Local 4 news segment. It is one of those cases that feels like a glitch in the suburban matrix—a quiet Friday in Pittsfield Township shattered by a level of violence that just doesn't make sense to the rational mind.
Honestly, the details are the stuff of nightmares.
In September 2024, a 40-year-old man, Anthony Flanagan, was arrested after a brutal home invasion that left an 81-year-old woman, Susan Hammerton, dead. Her husband and the family dog were also attacked. But it wasn't just the crime that gripped the community; it was the surreal, haunting nature of the arrest and the legal gridlock that followed. People are still asking: how does someone "lose it" this badly, and why does the justice system feel like it’s standing still?
The Night Everything Changed in Pittsfield Township
It started around midnight. Police were called to the 1900 block of Breckland Drive. When they arrived, they found a scene that looked like a horror movie. Susan Hammerton and her 82-year-old husband had been attacked in their own bedroom.
Flanagan didn't know them.
He was a complete stranger who had allegedly just been in a massive fight with his own family a few blocks away on Weatherstone Drive. Investigators say he was naked when he broke into the Hammerton home. He didn't just steal things; he attacked. Reports describe a struggle involving strangulation and multiple stab wounds.
Afterward, witnesses say he threw the knife into a fountain and tried to break into another house. That is where the police caught him. Just a guy, standing there, having just upended several lives forever.
The randomness is what's terrifying. You've got a couple who lived in that neighborhood for years, probably feeling perfectly safe, only to be targeted by a man who happened to be wandering the street in a state of complete psychological collapse.
Anthony Flanagan Ann Arbor: The Legal Fight Over Sanity
When a crime this visceral happens, the public usually wants a quick trial and a life sentence. But the case of Anthony Flanagan Ann Arbor hit a massive roadblock: the question of criminal responsibility.
In late 2025, Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit confirmed that while Flanagan was eventually "restored to competency" (meaning he understood the charges against him well enough to stand in a courtroom), the state forensic center determined he was not criminally responsible by reason of insanity at the time of the killing.
Basically, the doctors are saying he was so far gone that he didn't know what he was doing or couldn't control himself.
Why the Family is Furious
This is where the nuance gets really messy. Susan Hammerton's family, specifically her daughters, aren't buying the "insanity" conclusion at face value. They’ve been very vocal about a few things that seem... well, weird:
- No Toxicology: Police confirmed that Flanagan’s blood was never taken or analyzed after the arrest. The family wants to know if he was on something. The prosecutor’s office says the forensic center’s conclusion wouldn't change even if substances were present, but for a grieving family, that feels like a massive hole in the investigation.
- Access to Records: The family has claimed they were denied police reports and investigative records for over a year.
- The "Meddling" Accusation: In a particularly tense exchange, the family alleged that the prosecutor accused them of "meddling" in the investigation when they pushed for more answers.
It’s a classic clash between the rigid, clinical findings of forensic psychology and the raw, human need for accountability. If a jury never hears the case because a doctor signed a paper saying "insanity," does that count as justice? For the Hammertons, the answer is a resounding no.
Understanding the "Not Criminally Responsible" Ruling
You might think "insanity" is a get-out-of-jail-free card. It isn't.
If the court ultimately accepts this ruling, Flanagan won't just walk home. He would likely be committed to a high-security psychiatric facility—specifically the Center for Forensic Psychiatry—for an indefinite period. Often, people in these situations spend as much or more time confined than they would have in a standard prison, but the setting is medical rather than punitive.
The legal threshold for this in Michigan is high. You have to prove that because of a mental illness, the person lacked the "substantial capacity" to appreciate the wrongfulness of their conduct. The fact that he was naked and attacking strangers certainly supports the "mental break" narrative, but the family still wants a jury to be the ones to make that call, not just a state-appointed psychiatrist.
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What Most People Get Wrong About This Case
There's a lot of misinformation floating around social media regarding this. Some people confuse this Anthony Flanagan with an English actor of the same name (who is obviously not involved in Michigan crime). Others think the case has been "dropped."
It hasn't been dropped. As of early 2026, it’s still in a pretrial phase where the judge has to decide how to handle the forensic reports.
Another misconception is that the prosecutor is "protecting" Flanagan. In reality, the prosecutor's office is bound by the reports from the state's medical experts. If the state's own doctors say a man was insane, it’s legally very difficult for a prosecutor to argue otherwise without their own conflicting expert testimony.
Real-World Impact on the Ann Arbor Area
This case has changed how people in the Pittsfield and Ann Arbor area view their safety. It’s a reminder that "nice neighborhoods" aren't bubbles.
Since the attack, there’s been a renewed focus on:
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- Mental Health Crisis Response: Could the earlier fight with his family have been a "red flag" that was missed?
- Transparency in the Prosecutor's Office: Eli Savit is a high-profile figure, currently eyeing the Michigan Attorney General seat. His handling of this case is being watched through a political lens as much as a legal one.
- Victims' Rights: The Hammerton family’s struggle to get records has highlighted gaps in how victims are treated during "insanity" proceedings.
What’s Next?
A pretrial conference was set for January 2025, and moving into 2026, the case is reaching a tipping point. The court will have to decide if a second competency or criminal responsibility exam is warranted, which is exactly what the family is demanding.
If you are following this case, keep an eye on the Washtenaw County court docket for updates on "People v. Anthony Flanagan." The outcome will set a major precedent for how "random" violent crimes are prosecuted in the county.
Actionable Insight for Residents:
If you want to support the family or stay informed, look into local victims' rights advocacy groups in Washtenaw County. They often provide resources for families navigating the "not criminally responsible" legal maze. Additionally, attending public hearings at the 14A-1 District Court or the Circuit Court can provide a firsthand look at how these complex legal decisions are actually made, rather than relying on second-hand snippets.