Legal News From Across The State |
February 9, 2010
In The Detroit Free Press: "Ex-chief justice to join law firm in Detroit." (seventh article)
"Former Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Clifford Taylor, who lost his bid for re-election in 2008, is to join the Detroit-based Miller Canfield law firm Feb. 15 as a trial court appeals expert, the firm said Monday. Taylor is to work for the firm's offices in Lansing and Naples, Fla., where he is justice in residence and visiting professor at the Ave Maria School of Law."
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20102090316
Also see The Michigan Lawyer Blog: "Clifford Taylor to join Miller Canfield."
http://michiganlawyerblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/08/clifford-taylor-to-join-miller-canfield/
In The Detroit News: "Clinton Township: Court to hear appeal of 'comic book killer' case."
"The state Court of Appeals today is set to consider Macomb County prosecutors' appeal of a judge's decision to grant a new trial to suspected 'comic book killer' Michael George. Circuit Judge James Biernat cited prosecutorial misconduct and new evidence in ordering the new trial in September 2008, several months after George was convicted of first-degree murder in the 1990 death of his wife, Barbara George, in the back of their Clinton Township comic book store."
http://www.detnews.com/article/20100209/METRO03/2090353/1014/rss03
Also in The Detroit Free Press: "2nd judge recuses herself from Blackwell case."
"A second judge has recused herself in the criminal case against the former emergency financial manager in Highland Park. Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Margie Braxton was to hear a defense motion in the case today but decided to recuse herself because she knows Arthur Blackwell II, who pleaded not guilty during his arraignment in circuit court last month. Blackwell, who faces embezzlement and other charges, is accused of improperly paying himself $264,000 while he was the Highland Park manager. The state fired him in April."
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2010100209032
Also see The Detroit News: "2nd judge recused from Blackwell case."
http://www.detnews.com/article/20100209/METRO/2090397/1409/2nd-judge-recused-from-Blackwell-case
Also in The Detroit Free Press: "Dearborn Chihuahua hoarder gets probation, fine."
"The former Dearborn man who kept hundreds of live and dead Chihuahuas in filthy conditions in his home until last year was sentenced today to 5 years of probation in a mental health program and must pay $60,000 in restitution. The sentence had been expected as part of Kenneth Lang Jr.s guilty plea to a single count of cruelty to 10 or more animals in Wayne County Circuit Court last month, although the specific restitution amount was not determined at the time. He was also ordered not to own animals."
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2010100209015
Also see The Detroit News: "Man with hundreds of dogs in Dearborn home gets 5 years' probation."
http://www.detnews.com/article/20100209/METRO01/2090391/1409/METRO/Man-with-hundreds-of-dogs-in-Dearborn-home-gets-5-years-probation
Also see The Associated Press: "Dearborn man accused of hoarding hundreds of live, dead dogs gets 5 years probation."
http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2010/02/dearborn_man_accused_of_hoardi.html
Also in The Detroit News: "Fighting the college that pizza bought."
Columnist "Laura Berman writes "... It's been two years since a state appeals court panel approved [Kate Ernsting's] case, ostensibly clearing it for trial. The Ave Maria lawyers resisted: They appealed to the state Supreme Court, which declined to hear it. They filed a motion arguing Ave Maria is entitled to an obscure "ecclesiastic abstention" that makes the college immune from secular court review, which was denied by a judge. In other court papers, lawyers argued Ave Maria College can't pay a proposed settlement because its assets have been transferred to Ave Maria University in Florida."
http://detnews.com/article/20100209/OPINION03/2090349/Fighting-the-college-that-pizza-bought
Also in The Detroit Free Press: "COUNTYWIDE: Ex-assistant prosecutor loses suit." (sixth article)
"A Macomb County assistant prosecutor who was fired in 2005 lost her case in federal court seeking $5 million from the county. Maryann Bruder sought lost wages and benefits, as well as monetary damages for emotional distress, humiliation and mental trauma. She was fired following accusations that she ignored her superiors' instructions, resulting in the arrest of a witness in a child abuse case, according to county officials. After a three-week trial in U.S. District Court in Detroit, an eight-member jury on Thursday rejected Bruder's claim that her rights to due process were violated when she was fired."
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20102090316
Also in The Detroit Free Press: "Justice O'Connor speaks at Wayne State event."
"Former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor this afternoon reiterated her call for choosing judges on a merit-based system. Appearing at a Wayne State University Law School Symposium, O'Connor said that elected judges and the infusion of donations creates an 'arms race' that can taint and politicize the American judiciary. O'Connor said the framers of the constitution knew there needed to be a safe place and set up an independent judiciary to provide an area where politics do not prevail."
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2010100209027
In The Bay City Times: "Attorney Ed Czuprynski considering options in race for judgeship."
"Bay City attorney Edward M. Czuprynski is considering a run at one of three Bay County judgeships available in the Nov. 2 general election. Czuprynski said supporters have formed an exploratory committee to determine which judge position the high-profile attorney should seek.... Two district judge seats, one of them a six-year term, and a six-year circuit judge post are available. Circuit Judge William J. Caprathe has said he will retire at the end of the year and District Judge Scott J. Newcombe has indicated he plans to retire in May... [Also,] District Judge Dawn A. Klida also must run if she wants to retain her seat. Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm appointed Klida in January to fill a vacancy created when former-Judge Craig D. Alston retired in October."
http://www.mlive.com/news/bay-city/index.ssf/2010/02/attorney_ed_czuprynski_conside.html
In The Hometown Life Newspapers: "Appeals court to hear Pine Lake case."
"Oral arguments on the deed restriction case involving Pine Lake Elementary School will be heard by the Michigan Court of Appeals on March 11. It will be the first of five cases to be heard at special convening of that court in the auditorium of the Wayne State University Law School. The plaintiffs are residents of the Bloomfield Hills School District and of West Bloomfield's Pine Lake community. They are seeking to maintain the operation of their local Pine Lake School since the property on which it sits was charitably deeded with the express restriction that the site 'shall be used for School purposes only'."
http://www.hometownlife.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20102070363
In The Kalamazoo Gazette: "Springer jury asks to review extensive testimony, evidence."
"Shortly after beginning deliberation this morning, jurors in the Springer murder trial asked the judge for permission to review extensive witness testimony and evidence. Jurors were brought into the courtroom at 11:05 a.m. and requested to review recordings of testimony by Anthony Springer, Michigan State Police Detective Sgt. Mike Scott, Child Protective Services investigator Patricia Skelding, CPS supervisor Cindy Bare and three other witnesses.... Anthony and Marsha Springer are charged with felony murder, torture and first-degree child abuse in the 2008 death of their 16-year-old daughter, Calista, in a fire while she was chained to her bed."
http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2010/02/jury_deliberations_delayed_in.html
In The Macomb Daily: " 'Gonzo' heads back to court over artwork."
"Roseville artist Edward 'Gonzo' Stross is due back in court next month to face a retrial on charges that he violated a city ordinance for painting the word "love" on the exterior of his studio.... Roseville building inspectors said Stross violated a sign ordinance that prohibits images and words in some locations. He was convicted in 2005 and ordered to serve 30 days in jail, but he filed an appeal. The Michigan Court of Appeals eventually ruled in his favor. The appeals court in November reversed the guilty verdict and remanded the case back to Roseville's 39A District Court for a new trial. A pretrial is scheduled for March 25."
http://www.macombdaily.com/articles/2010/02/09/news/srv0000007564796.txt
In The Michigan Lawyer Blog: "And they're off…"
"The morning session of the American Board of Trial Advocates symposium, Options for an Independent Judiciary, to discuss judicial elections is in full swing, and weve got our wi-fi issues squared away... ABOTA has asked that there be no discussion about the makeup of the Michigan Supreme Court, judicial philosophies or specific decisions since it would detract from the focus."
http://michiganlawyerblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/09/and-theyre-off/
In The State News/East Lansing: "House to discuss bill on student jury duty."
"When MSU law graduate student Philip Ellison was summoned to jury duty last October, he was eager to fulfill his civic duty. That was until MSU College of Law officials told Ellison he could not be excused from classes to serve.... Ellison wrote letters to various Michigan lawmakers expressing his concern, and soon after, state Rep. Mark Meadows, D-East Lansing, drafted a plan that allows full-time college students to postpone jury duty while taking classes. Meadows introduced the bill in the Michigan House of Representatives Thursday, and it will be discussed this week in the House Judiciary Committee, he said."
http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2010/02/house_to_discuss_bill_on_student_jury_duty
In The Times Herald/Port Huron: "Platzer to receive resolution award." (third article)
"St. Clair County District Judge Cynthia Platzer will be honored with the Conflict Resolution Advocacy Award on March 23 by the Resolution Center, a non-profit organization offering mediation services by trained volunteers. The 5:30 p.m. event will be at MJR Marketplace Theater, 35400 Van Dyke Ave., Sterling Heights."
http://www.thetimesherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20102090307
In The Wayne State University Law School: "Oral Arguments before the Michigan Court of Appeals."
"Judge Michael J. Kelly, Judge Michael J. Talbot and Judge Kurtis T. Wilder of The Michigan Court of Appeals will be hearing oral arguments on Thursday, March 11, 2010 starting at 10:00 a.m. 12:15 p.m. in the Wayne State University Law School's Spencer Partrich Auditorium."
http://events.wayne.edu/law/2010/03/11/oral-arguments-before-the-michigan-court-of-appeals-21499/
February 6-8, 2010
In The Detroit Free Press: "Plan to appeal decision on homeless sex offender."
"TAKING ACTION: Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings III, left, plans to appeal a court's decision that homeless sex offender Randall Dowdy shouldn't be punished for not registering an address or giving his whereabouts to law enforcement. The Michigan Court of Appeals upheld a lower court's decision in an opinion released Tuesday."
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20102070460
Also see The Detroit Free Press: "Michigan court: Homeless sex offender OK not registering."
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2010100206008
Also see The Associated Press: "Mich. court: Homeless offender OK not registering."
http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/michigan/index.ssf?/base/national-104/1265480759279200.xml&storylist=newsmichigan
Also see the Lansing State Journal: "Homeless sex offenders targeted; Solutions sought after court rules registry law doesn't apply to them."
http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20102060317
Also see The Traverse City Record-Eagle: "Court: Don't punish homeless offender." (fifth article)
http://www.record-eagle.com/archivesearch/local_story_037201016.html
Also see The Michigan Lawyer Blog: "In their opinions."
http://michiganlawyerblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/08/in-their-opinions-4/
In The Detroit News: "Rochester: Ex-mayor's lawsuit tossed out by court of appeals." (second article)
"A lawsuit brought by former Rochester Mayor David Katulic against the city and its Police Department has been dismissed by the Michigan Court of Appeals. Katulic brought the suit in 2008, claiming gross negligence and invasion of privacy after he was pulled over for a malfunctioning brake light. The court found that Katulic and his wife were legitimately pulled over and that they had outstanding warrants for their arrest."
http://detnews.com/article/20100208/METRO02/2080359/1411/METRO02/NEA-will-share-analysis-of-Novi-School-District
Also in The Detroit Free Press: "Divisive Highland Park school board member deciding on re-election bid."
"... One of [Robert] Davis' mentors, Michigan Supreme Court Justice Robert P. Young Jr., said it's refreshing to see Davis being active in his community. He said he met Davis years ago when Young was speaking to a group in Lansing. They later went to lunch and Davis so impressed Young that he offered him an internship. 'He's really persistent,' Young said. Now, Davis, who has nearly two years of law school at Thomas Cooley Law School at Oakland University under his belt, has one day to decide whether he is going to seek re-election. His term expires in June."
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20102080324
Also in The Detroit Free Press: "Give another chance with a breathtaking hitch."
Columnist Ron Dzwonkowski writes "... [T]here's a good case to be made for legislation that has passed the state House and awaits a final vote this week in the Senate to set up a pilot program enabling convicted drunken drivers who enroll in sobriety courts to drive on a restricted basis if they agree to install -- and pay for -- a device that will keep their car from starting and squeal to the law if they've had so much as a drop of alcohol. The program would be tested for three years, with participating courts required to make detailed reports on the results before it becomes permanent."
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20102070472
Also in The Detroit News: "Judge scolds Taylor mayor, City Council."
"Wayne County Circuit Judge Susan Borman on Friday warned Taylor's mayor and City Council to act like grown-ups and work together to select a new city attorney. 'Embarrassing' is how Borman described a three-month dispute between Mayor Jeffery Lamarand and council members over the mayor's firing of Corporation Counsel Edward Plato. Borman ruled Friday that Lamarand has authority to fire Plato, but she also insisted the council has final say in approving his replacement. She also ordered Lamarand to present a recommendation to replace Plato by Feb. 19."
http://detnews.com/article/20100206/METRO/2060322/Judge-scolds-Taylor-mayor--City-Council
Also see The Detroit Free Press: "Judge tells council and mayor to quit squabbling; Fight over firing city attorney is to end."
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20102060348
Also in The Detroit Free Press: "DETROIT: Woman stays jailed in estate fight."
"A Wayne County judge declined Friday to free Janice Stanton Hines, a Houston woman he jailed for contempt of court on Dec. 8 for refusing to return $500,000 to the estate of her mother, a 94-year-old Detroiter. Wayne County Probate Judge David Szymanski told Hines at a court hearing that he believes she has the money and can return it. Hines again insisted that the money was a gift from her mother and said she gave it to her own daughter, who lost it."
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20102060309
Also in The Detroit News: "Judge orders Moroun to raze duty-free plaza in battle over crossing expansion."
"Ambassador Bridge owner Manuel 'Matty' Moroun's plans to build a second span to the 80-year-old bridge took a major hit Friday when a Wayne County Circuit Court judge ruled that he had illegally constructed gas pumps and a duty-free store built on property owned by the city of Detroit.... Judge Prentice Edwards ordered Moroun Friday to demolish the new structures and gave the Detroit International Bridge Company three weeks to submit a timetable and overseer for the removal of the structures."
http://detnews.com/article/20100206/METRO01/2060387/Judge-orders-Moroun-to-raze-duty-free-plaza-in-battle-over-crossing-expansion
Also see The Detroit Free Press: "Gateway project is 95% done, except in court; State, Detroit, bridge firm, bait shop all make claims."
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20102070420
Also see The Associated Press: "Judge rules that Ambassador Bridge owner Matty Maroun illegally built booths."
http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2010/02/judge_rules_that_ambassador_br.html
Also see Crain's Detroit Business: "Michigan judge: Matty Moroun illegally built toll booths."
http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20100207/FREE/100209895
Also in The Detroit Free Press: "WARREN: Resigned court officer to keep getting paid." (fifth article)
"An armed Warren court officer who handed in his resignation this week following complaints he was drinking alcohol on the job is to continue to be paid until April 7, city officials said. Although William Fitzpatrick, 60, announced his resignation Wednesday, the 37th District Court officer will continue receiving paychecks because of accumulated vacation and comp time. Police said they observed Fitzpatrick, a retired Warren cop and a 20-year employee of the court system, under the influence last week while he was taking an inmate to the jail."
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20102060309
Also see The Macomb Daily: "Accused bailiff turns in badge."
http://www.macombdaily.com/articles/2010/02/06/news/srv0000007537717.txt
Also in The Detroit Free Press: "ROSEVILLE: Artist's pretrial hearing is set." (fourth article)
"A pretrial hearing is scheduled for March 25 in 39A District Court for an embattled muralist who painted the word 'love' on the outside wall of his studio at Gratiot and Utica in 2004. Ed (Gonzo) Stross was accused of violating a city sign ordinance that prohibits wording in some locations. He was taken to court after he refused to move or cover his murals. Stross was convicted in 2005 and was to spend 30 days in jail. But he appealed, and the case eventually worked its way to the Michigan Court of Appeals, which in November reversed the guilty verdict and demanded a new trial."
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20102060309
Also in The Detroit Free Press: "Former Macomb County assistant prosecutor denied compensation."
"A Macomb County assistant prosecutor who was fired in 2005 has lost her case in federal court aiming to get $5 million from the county. Maryann Bruder sought lost wages and benefits, as well as monetary damages for emotional distress, humiliation and mental trauma. She was fired on allegations that she ignored her superiors' instructions, resulting in the arrest of a witness in a child abuse case. After a three-week trial in U.S. District Court in Detroit, an eight-member jury on Thursday rejected Bruder's claim that her due process was violated when she was fired."
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2010100208022
Also see The Macomb Daily: "Smith, county win lawsuit."
http://www.macombdaily.com/articles/2010/02/06/news/srv0000007537906.txt
Also in The Detroit Free Press: "Ferndale building plans are on hold; City might trim jobs to handle deficit."
"To build a new Ferndale courthouse in place of the aging one in a former mattress factory, city officials saved money for a decade and reviewed plans for the last three years. The plans called for the project to cost as much as $9 million, and the proposals included a possible expansion of the city's police station and renovation of City Hall. But City Manager Bob Bruner has pulled the long-scheduled vote to pick a firm to design and build the facility off tonight's City Council agenda, citing looming budget deficits and a need to downsize."
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20102080328
Also see The Macomb Daily: "Ferndale postpones decision on municipal complex upgrade."
http://www.macombdaily.com/articles/2010/02/08/news/srv0000007557101.txt
Also see The Oakland Press: "Ferndale delays three-building municipal plan."
http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2010/02/08/news/local_news/doc4b6fee9a64f3b980384386.txt
Also in The Detroit Free Press: "Woman's driving history stuns police; 45 suspensions, 29 warrants on record."
"A Hamtramck woman's driving record of 45 license suspensions and 29 traffic warrants left Hazel Park police shaking their heads Friday about how many times she'd slipped away from infractions in other cities. 'She thumbed her nose at the system for many years, and I would anticipate that she will continue to do so,' Chief David Niedermeier said of Mary Ayers, 44, who has been driving without a license for at least 15 years, records show. Neidermeier said that Ayers posted a $500 bond Friday in Hazel Park, stemming from her arrest about 6 p.m. Thursday on 8 Mile for driving with improper plates. That's when police found she had warrants from Detroit and Dearborn Heights, license suspensions and no proof of insurance."
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20102060321
Also see The Daily Tribune: "29 warrants, arrested again; Woman without driver's license has 45 suspensions with Secretary of State."
http://www.dailytribune.com/articles/2010/02/08/news/srv0000007537985.txt
Also see The Macomb Daily: "29 warrants, arrested again."
http://www.macombdaily.com/articles/2010/02/08/news/srv0000007556588.txt
Also in The Detroit Free Press: "Police officer suspended on charges of overtime fraud."
"Another Detroit police officer has been suspended on accusations that he bilked the city of $15,000 in overtime pay, the Free Press has learned. Police spokesman John Roach confirmed that a 23-year veteran of the department's 10th precinct is suspended with pay after an internal investigation determined the officer regularly signed in at courthouses on his off days when he had no court business, then put in for overtime pay.... The department is investigating whether the officer had been signing in fraudulently for court business before last year as well, Roach said. The department began the investigation after a commander within the precinct noticed the officer was going to court too often, given his job assignment."
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20102060310
In The Crain's Detroit Business: "Ex-State Supreme Court Chief Justice Clifford Taylor to join Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone."
"Former Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Clifford Taylor will join Detroit-based Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone plc next Monday, dividing time between the firms offices in Lansing and Naples, Fla. Taylor, 67, joined the court in 1997 and was chief justice from 2005 until he was unseated by challenger Diane Hathaway in the 2008 election. He will be of counsel in the appellate section of Miller Canfields Litigation and Trial Group, starting Feb. 15.... The firm expects that Taylor, who is also a visiting law professor and justice in residence at Ave Maria School of Law in Naples, will be a consultant on appellate court and settlement strategy, as well as serving as an arbitrator and mediator."
http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20100208/FREE/100209881
In The Daily Globe/Ironwood: "Man sentenced to 13 to 22 years in 1990s sex case."
"Bruce Allen Roper, 61, was recently sentenced to 13 to 22 years in prison by Gogebic County Circuit Court Judge Roy Gotham, after pleading guilty to first degree criminal sexual conduct against a child less than 13 years of age, according to prosecuting attorney Richard Adams."
http://yourdailyglobe.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=38475
In The Daily Press & Argus: "Man gets jail for trying to burn neighbors' home."
"The daughter of a Marion Township couple targeted by two brothers, whom she called 'delinquents from hell,' told a judge Thursday her parents have become "prisoners" in their home, thanks to the troublemakers. After the woman's comments, a Livingston County judge sentenced the older brother, Kyle William Baxter, to spend 90 days in the Livingston County Jail for trying to burn his neighbors' home in the 3700 block of Brent Drive in May 2008. 'You put undue fear in the hearts of your neighbors,' Circuit Judge Michael P. Hatty said."
http://www.livingstondaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20102070337
Also in The Daily Press & Argus: "Volunteers Needed: MENTORS FOR JUVENILES." (fourth article)
"Livingston County 4-H, in conjunction with the Juvenile Court system, has created a mentoring program called Forward Focus Youth Mentoring. The program provides mentors for youth, ages 9-17, in the Juvenile Court. Mentor volunteers spend two hours a week for a minimum of six months with the youth."
http://www.livingstondaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20102070306
In The Daily Tribune: "Wrongful arrest case closed."
"The wrongful arrest case against two off-duty Royal Oak police officers has been closed, according to a federal court order released Friday. Royal Oak had appealed a $700,000 settlement awarded to two men who said they were wrongfully arrested after the off-duty police alleged they assaulted a man following a 2003 Alabama concert. However, the case essentially was closed Friday by an order of U.S. District Judge Sean F. Cox."
http://www.dailytribune.com/articles/2010/02/08/news/srv0000007539186.txt
In The Grand Rapids Press: "Obituary: Gerald J. Van Wyke."
"VAN WYKE - Gerald J. Van Wyke, age 95, went to sleep in Holland, Michigan and woke up in heaven to begin his eternal life with Jesus on Saturday, February 6, 2010. Gerald was born in Grand Rapids, MI on November 23, 1914, and graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High School, Calvin College and the University of Michigan Law School.... He became an Ottawa County District Judge in 1968 and continued in that capacity until his retirement in 1980."
http://obits.mlive.com/obituaries/grandrapids/obituary.aspx?n=gerald-j-van-wyke&pid=139528783
In The Kalamazoo Gazette: "Column: Better alternatives than jail for those caught in addiction's web."
Editor Joyce Pines writes "... Retired Kalamazoo County Circuit Court Judge William G. Schma takes a different approach to the drug problem. Representing the Gazette, I was his guest for lunch in East Lansing last week during a conference of the Michigan Association of Drug Court Professionals. Schma is the father of the drug court movement in Michigan and was instrumental in getting such programs started in the state and throughout the nation. Drug courts take nonviolent substance abusers who have been charged with crimes and offer them a program in which they receive regular drug screenings, counseling, residential treatment if necessary, detoxification and other programming. Successful completion of the program keeps the offender out of jail and hopefully drug free."
http://www.mlive.com/opinion/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2010/02/column_better_alternatives_tha.html
Also in The Kalamazoo Gazette: "Calista Springer case goes to the jury."
"... Circuit Judge Paul Stutesman dismissed the jurors Friday after they had spent about a half-hour in the jury room. They are scheduled to return to the Kalamazoo County Courthouse at 9 a.m. Tuesday to resume their deliberations. The Springers are charged with felony murder, torture and first-degree child abuse in connection with a Feb. 27, 2008, fire that killed Calista, 16, and destroyed the familys Centreville home."
http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2010/02/springer_case_goes_to_the_jury.html
Also see The River Country Journal/Three Rivers: "Springer trial concludes, case goes to jury."
http://www.rivercountryjournal.com/?p=23821
Also see Three Rivers Commercial-News: "Jury gets Springer case."
http://www.threeriversnews.com/articles/2010/02/06/news/local_news/doc4b6cc9025212c298139342.txt
In the Lansing State Journal: "Commissioner: Closing jail post means inmates 'should be cheering plan'; Burden of fewer beds will fall to judges, who may grant early release."
"Closing a portion of the Ingham County Jail may save money but there are jobs at stake and inmates are less likely to serve their full sentences. These are the issues emerging as county commissioners prepare to vote Tuesday on a how to solve a $2.3 million budget deficit.... The threat of jail is critical when coping with area crime, some judges say, but crowding at the jail means some inmates get out early. 'They're asking us to do a job and they're taking away our tools,' said Frank DeLuca, chief judge of the 54A-District Court in Lansing."
http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20102060321
Also see WKAR News/East Lansing: "Ingham County to cut $650 million from budget."
http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wkar/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1609399
In The Macomb Daily: "Juror questions his decision in triple fatal [car crash]."
"A Macomb County jury member who convicted a Clinton Township man of a lesser charge in a triple-fatal car crash regrets he didn't hold out because the panel at one time had decided on the more serious charge.... [Bill] Krall was among the dozen people who in December rejected the 15-year felony, manslaughter, for Stephen Davis, 24, and convicted him of three counts of the lesser charge, negligent homicide, punishable by up to two years in prison, for the April 2008 deaths of Robert McGuire, Nicholas Noble and Jordan Vandeputte, all 17, in Chesterfield Township."
http://www.macombdaily.com/articles/2010/02/07/news/srv0000007544326.txt
Also in The Macomb Daily: "Prosecutor seeks judgeship." (third article)
"An assistant Macomb County prosecutor and son of a judge has announced his intention to run for a Circuit Court bench judge post this fall to begin serving in 2011. Michael Servitto, 32, of Mount Clemens, is the first person to announce his candidacy for the six-year term. He is the son of current Macomb circuit Judge Edward Servitto and is stepson of former Macomb circuit Judge Deborah Servitto, who is now a Court of Appeals jurist."
http://www.macombdaily.com/articles/2010/02/07/news/srv0000007545516.txt
Also in The Macomb Daily: "Judge almost a juror." (second article)
"Macomb County Probate Judge Pamela Gilbert O'Sullivan missed an opportunity to see justice from a different angle. O'Sullivan, who has served about 15 years, recently was called in for jury duty in a civil case Joann Finkbeiner v. Baker College of Clinton Township in the courtroom of Judge Donald Miller of Macomb County Circuit Court. But her name wasn't among those randomly selected for voir dire, questioning by attorneys and possibly the judge."
http://www.macombdaily.com/articles/2010/02/07/news/srv0000007541229.txt
Also in The Macomb Daily: "Clerk tweaks hours." (sixth article)
"The circuit court and vital records sections that were recently closed on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons will stay open a little bit longer to accommodate the lunch-time crowd. Starting Tuesday, those offices will remain open until 1:30 p.m. instead of noon, Clerk Carmella Sabaugh said.... People can still file documents Tuesdays and Thursdays after 1:30 p.m. via a drop box or fax machine in the courthouse lobby."
http://www.macombdaily.com/articles/2010/02/08/news/srv0000007556468.txt
In The Michigan Lawyer Blog: "More lead time for presentence reports."
"The Michigan Supreme Court has amended MCR 6.425 and 6.610 to require courts to give defense attorneys and prosecutors presentence reports at least two business days ahead of sentencing. A courts failure to timely provide the report entitles either party to an adjournment to prepare any necessary corrections, additions or deletions. The amendments also provide a measure of confidentiality for victims and witnesses."
http://michiganlawyerblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/08/more-lead-time-for-presentence-reports/
In The MLive.com: "Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor to visit Wayne State University."
"Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor is the keynote speaker for a law symposium at Wayne State University on Tuesday. The symposium is a joint presentation from Options for an Independent Judiciary for Michigan and the American Board of Trial Associates. Experts will speak on judicial reform in Michigan and discuss how the elections of Michigan Supreme Court can be reformed."
http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2010/02/supreme_court_justice_sandra_d.html
In The Morning Sun/Mount Pleasant: "Court strikes down higher property assessment."
"Another northern Michigan property owner has won a dispute over whether the death of a co-owner triggers an increase in the taxable value of real estate. The Michigan Court of Appeals said the taxable value of Kevin Klevorn's properties were illegally uncapped after his mother died in 2005. He has a law office in Boyne City and a cabin in Eveline Township in Charlevoix County."
http://www.themorningsun.com/articles/2010/02/07/news/srv0000007546078.txt
Also see The Associated Press: "Court strikes down higher property assessment."
http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/michigan/index.ssf?/base/national-104/1265451946283500.xml&storylist=newsmichigan
Also see The Traverse City Record-Eagle: "Court strikes down property assessment."
http://www.record-eagle.com/archivesearch/local_story_037201016.html
In The Oakland Press: "GUEST OPINION: Rethink everything to revive state."
Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Michael Warren writes "... [I]n Oakland County, Brooks Patterson has led the charge to a three-year budgeting process that is forcing all government officials to plan for the difficult budget years ahead. In response, the Oakland Circuit Court embraced several innovations, including requiring e-filing (which I piloted) in nearly all civil cases, the voluntary reduction of one of our judges for four years, and significantly reorganizing operations."
http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2010/02/07/opinion/doc4b6a2befb4d74814969707.txt
In The Traverse City Record-Eagle: "Editorial: Fairness needed in beach debate."
"Traverse City's three-year skirmish with the Department of Natural Resources over expanded swimming zones always has been more sharp-toothed than the surface issue: equal access for boaters and swimmers. It's also a battle over who -- the DNR or city -- has the right to regulate and control the destiny of the Grand Traverse Bay waterfront within city limits. It's a complicated case that 13th Circuit Judge Thomas Power likened to a 'cloud of wasps' before he issued his resounding Jan. 19 ruling in the case."
http://www.record-eagle.com/opinion/local_story_037192040.html?keyword=topstory
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