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Legal News From Across The State
July 2, 2009
In The Detroit Free Press: "Michigan soldier in Iraq sworn in as lawyer by video."
"A 35-year-old Army reservist from Grand Blanc, currently on duty in Iraq, was sworn in to the state bar this morning by Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Marilyn Kelly via video conference at the state’s National Guard headquarters. Major Miles Gengler took the bar examination in February two days before being deployed to the Green Zone in Baghdad where he serves as a personnel officer. The long-distance (about 6,300 miles) ceremony was arranged by the Guard and officials at Cooley Law School, where Gengler graduated in January."
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200990702036
Also see The Detroit News: "Grand Blanc soldier sworn in as attorney while stationed in Iraq."
http://www.detnews.com/article/20090702/METRO/907020478/1361/Grand-Blanc-soldier-sworn-in-as-attorney-while-stationed-in-Iraq
Also see The Detroit News: "Mich. soldier in Iraq sworn in as lawyer by video."
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/MI_IRAQ_SOLDIER_NEW_LAWYER_MIOL-?SITE=MIDTN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Also see The Flint Journal: "Grand Blanc Township native and Army reservist Miles Gengler gets sworn in as attorney while in Iraq."
http://blog.mlive.com/higher-education/2009/07/grand_blanc_township_native_an.html
Also see the Lansing State Journal: "Mich. soldier in Iraq sworn in as lawyer."
http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20090702/NEWS01/907020347/-1/middayupdates/Mich.-soldier-in-Iraq-sworn-in-as-lawyer
Also see The Oakland County Legal News: "Michigan soldier to be sworn in as attorney via live video conference with chief justice."
http://www.legalnews.com/oakland/common/ShowFile.aspx?typ=editorial&FN=455656-1.html
Also see The Oakland Press: "Area soldier sworn in as attorney via satellite from Iraq."
http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2009/07/02/news/local_news/doc4a4cc81a1b871340035633.txt
Also see The Traverse City Record-Eagle: "Mich. soldier in Iraq sworn in as lawyer by video."
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/MI_IRAQ_SOLDIER_NEW_LAWYER_MIOL-?SITE=MITRA&SECTION=STATE&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2009-07-02-11-00-09
Also see USA TODAY: "Mich. soldier in Iraq sworn in as lawyer by video."
http://content.usatoday.net/dist/custom/gci/InsidePage.aspx?cId=battlecreekenquirer&sParam=31094753.story
Also see WDIV-TV(4)/Detroit: "Mich. Soldier Sworn In As Lawyer; Army Reserve Maj. Miles Gengler Sworn In Thursday."
http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/19927505/detail.html#
Also see WEYI-TV(25)/Clio: "MI soldier in Iraq sworn in as lawyer by video."
http://www.connectmidmichigan.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=320151
Also see WTOL-TV(11)/Toledo, OH: "Mich. soldier in Iraq sworn in as lawyer by video."
http://www.wtol.com/Global/story.asp?S=10635231
Also see WSJV-TV(28)/South Bend, IN: "Mich. soldier in Iraq sworn in as lawyer by video."
http://www.fox28.com/Global/story.asp?S=10635231
See related press release: "MICHIGAN SOLDIER IN IRAQ TO BE SWORN IN AS AN ATTORNEY JULY 2 BY SUPREME COURT’S CHIEF JUSTICE KELLY VIA LIVE VIDEO CONFERENCE; Long-distance ceremony for Army Major Miles Gengler of Grand Blanc is cooperative effort of Thomas M. Cooley Law School, National Guard, and Michigan Supreme Court."
http://courts.michigan.gov/supremecourt/Press/MjrGengler.pdf
Also in The Detroit Free Press: "Serve nation's highest ideals on jury duty."
Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Marilyn Kelly writes " 'I've been called for jury duty,' said the voice on the other end of the phone. 'And I thought, since you're a lawyer, you'd know -- how do I get out of it?' Sadly, that's often the first question people ask when they get a jury service summons. And they react with disbelief when it's suggested that they might actually enjoy the experience. But invariably, the same people who at first so wanted to avoid jury service have later told me: 'You know, you were right. It's one of the most rewarding things I've ever done.'... [W]e need to encourage better participation by all on juries. To that end, my fellow justices and I have declared July to be Juror Appreciation Month to highlight the importance of jury service and to thank those who serve."
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009907020360
See related press release: "JULY IS JUROR APPRECIATION MONTH, MICHIGAN SUPREME COURT ANNOUNCES; COURTS ACROSS STATE TO PROMOTE JURY SERVICE, THANK JURORS."
http://courts.michigan.gov/supremecourt/Press/Juror/index.htm
Also in The Detroit Free Press: "Hours change to observe the holiday." (second article)
"Government offices, banks and U.S. financial markets will be closed Friday in observance of Independence Day, which falls on Saturday. Most state offices also will be closed Monday because employees are on furlough because of the state budget crisis.... In Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties, the clerks' offices and courts will be closed Friday, with the exception of the Criminal Division of 36th District Court."
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009907020595
Also in The Detroit Free Press: "Court panel rules man can't sue rape accuser; But governments, law enforcement OK."
"A Warren man who spent 12 years in prison for raping his ex-girlfriend and was later acquitted can't sue her for accusing him. But he can sue the local governments and law enforcement officials who put him on trial, a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday. The U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals said Jeffrey Moldowan, who served time for the 1990 abduction and rape of Maureen Fournier, can proceed to trial in U.S. District Court in Detroit with his claims that the City of Warren and a detective withheld key evidence that might have led to his acquittal in the first trial.... Moldowan and another man were convicted in 1991 of raping and dumping Fournier in Detroit. The state Supreme Court later overturned the convictions, and both men were acquitted at retrials."
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009907020452
Also see The Detroit News: "Rape victims can't be sued, appeals court rules; Federal appeals court overturns decision to create landmark case."
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009907020375
Also see The Macomb Daily: "Some of Moldowan lawsuit tossed."
http://www.macombdaily.com/articles/2009/07/02/news/srv0000005743748.txt
In The Detroit News: "Dearborn Heights man accused of planning to kill prosecutor."
"A Dearborn Heights man put a contract out on the life of a Wayne County assistant prosecutor who was investigating him for mortgage fraud, according to federal court records unsealed today. Sabastian Restum, 40, appeared in U.S. District Court in Detroit today charged with witness tampering. U.S. Magistrate Judge Mona Majzoub ordered Restum jailed until a detention hearing scheduled for Wednesday. Details about a 'hit' Restum allegedly put out on Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor Abed Hammoud are contained in an FBI affidavit that backs up the witness tampering complaint."
http://www.detnews.com/article/20090702/METRO/907020472/1361/update/Dearborn+Heights+man+accused+of+planning+to+kill+prosecutor
Also in The Detroit News: "Conyers sentence fires up debate."
"Detroit City Council President Pro Tem Monica Conyers says she chose her words carefully on her TV show this week because 'I don't want to go to jail.' And although she pleaded guilty Friday to a five-year felony, the possibility exists she won't. 'I'm certainly going to make my best-case argument that she should receive a non-prison sentence,' her Detroit attorney, Steve Fishman, said Wednesday."
http://www.detnews.com/article/20090702/METRO/907020402/1409/METRO
In The Daily Press & Argus: "Rapist's release on hold."
"The Oakland County prosecutor's office has won the first step of its battle against the Michigan Parole Board, which granted parole to a former Livingston County man who brutally raped a woman in 1996. Charles Raymond Feuquay has served 12 years of his 15- to 30-year sentence for two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct for duct-taping a woman he had tied to her bed and whom he repeatedly raped for more than five hours. Both the victim and Prosecutor Jessica Cooper said they are pleased with the judge's ruling.... Judge Michael Warren in 6th Circuit Court in Pontiac granted the prosecutor's request to halt Feuquay's release, which was expected around July 8, and ordered a judicial review to determine whether the board abused its discretion in deciding to grant Feuquay parole."
http://www.livingstondaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009907020302
Also see The Oakland Press: "Release of convicted rapist delayed by Oakland County prosecutor."
http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2009/07/02/news/cops_and_courts/doc4a4c7c595e2db182285513.txt
In The Grand Rapids Press: "Getaway driver's conviction overturned, new trial ordered because judge answered jury's question without defense attorney present."
"In a 3-2 decision, the Michigan Court of Appeals called for a new trial for a 33-year-old getaway driver convicted of being an accomplice in the local armed robbery and beating of a pregnant store clerk. The appeals court overturned Marco Antonio Hercules-Lopez's conviction on armed robbery and conspiracy to commit armed robbery, because a former judge answered a jury question while the defense attorney was out of the courtroom."
http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2009/07/getaway_drivers_conviction_ove.html
In The MLive.com: "Detroit judge fails to impress on 'America's Got Talent'." (report includes a 3:48 minute video clip)
"A Detroit juvenile court judge appeared on NBC's 'America's Got Talent' this week. Before his act, host Nick Cannon talked to 56-year-old Franklin Sane about his hometown. 'I come from a great city, I'm from Detroit, and so if I can represent our county, our city well, I'll be grateful for that,' Sane said."
http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/detroit/index.ssf/2009/07/detroit_judge_fails_to_impress.html
In The Macomb County Legal News: "New visiting professor introduced."
"Wayne State University Law School has announced the appointment of john a. powell as the Law School's Fall 2009 Damon J. Keith Distinguished Visiting Professor. The position is named in honor of the jurist and champion of civil rights Judge Damon J. Keith, a senior judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Keith received his LL.M. from Wayne Law in 1956."
http://www.legalnews.com/macomb/common/ShowFile.aspx?typ=editorial&FN=457335-1.html
In The National Law Journal: "For jurors in Michigan, no tweeting (or texting, or Googling) allowed."
"Call it the silencing of the tweets. The Michigan Supreme Court has laid the hammer down on gadget-happy jurors in banning all electronic communications by jurors during trial, including tweets on Twitter, text messages and Google searches. The ruling, which takes effect Sept. 1, will require Michigan judges for the first time to instruct jurors not to use any handheld device, such as iPhones or Blackberrys, while in the jury box or during deliberations."
http://www.law.com/jsp/nlj/PubArticleNLJ.jsp?id=1202431952628&For_jurors_in_Michigan_no_tweeting_or_texting_or_Googling_allowed_&slreturn=1
In The Oakland County Legal News: "Applied Science: Deputy court administrator views life in technology terms."
"Mention the word 'technology' and Libby Smith's eyes light up. She views the burgeoning field as a 'gateway' to making the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan even more 'efficient and economical' in the years ahead. Smith, who has served as deputy court administrator for the U.S. District Court operation based in Detroit since 2006, has embraced the wonders of technology from her early days with the Oakland County Circuit Court, where she began as a judicial administrative assistant to Judge Steven Andrews in 1994, rising through the ranks to become Civil/Criminal Division Administrator in 1999."
http://www.legalnews.com/Oakland/common/ShowFile.aspx?typ=editorial&FN=455344-1.html
In The Oakland Press: "Dentist gets jail time for ethnic intimidation."
"A Bloomfield Township dentist was sentenced to 60 days in jail and five years probation Wednesday for sending a threatening letter to another dentist. Oakland Circuit Judge Mark Goldsmith called Marc Kamp’s act 'the very essence of terrorism.' Kamp pleaded guilty to ethnic intimidation in February for sending the letter in April 2008 to dentist Steven Moss, who had accused Kamp earlier that year in a lawsuit of trying to steal his patients. The letter included anti-Semitic language and a picture of Adolf Hitler; Moss is Jewish.... After the hearing, [defense attorney David] Burgess said he plans to seek that the judge be recused from the case. He said he thought the judge has been showing bias. When asked to explain, Burgess replied, 'his background. He’s Jewish.' "
http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2009/07/02/news/cops_and_courts/doc4a4c75e761657462773604.txt
In The Spinal Column Newsweekly/Waterford: "Prosecutor's decision may end sobriety, drug courts."
"Supporters of programs that defer some non-violent defendants away from the perpetually-crowded Oakland County courts and jail are bemoaning a decision by Prosecutor Jessica Cooper to terminate her office's participation in drug treatment and sobriety court programs at the circuit court level by Sept. 30, the end of the current fiscal year. The decision has some state and circuit court officials now looking for a way to keep the programs going without Cooper's commitment to participate. Officials in area district courts with similar programs are trying to determine how Cooper's decision may impact their programs."
http://www.spinalcolumnonline.com/Articles-i-2009-07-01-70022.113117_Prosecutors_decision_may_end_sobriety_drug_courts.html
Also in The Spinal Column Newsweekly/Waterford: "Cooper sues state for early inmate release list."
"Oakland County Prosecutor Jessica Cooper has filed a lawsuit against the Michigan Department of Corrections for what she calls a 'blatant refusal to provide ... critical information' regarding 3,000 to 5,000 prisoners slated for early release in October as a cost-saving measure. Cooper said she, as well as Wayne and Macomb county prosecutors, recently traveled to Lansing to meet at Gov. Jennifer Granholm's office to discuss the thousands of inmates who are expected to be paroled by either October or December."
http://www.spinalcolumnonline.com/Articles-i-2009-07-01-70048.113117_Cooper_sues_state_for_early_inmate_release_list.html
Also see The Spinal Column Newsweekly/Waterford: Cooper right to file lawsuit."
http://www.spinalcolumnonline.com/Articles-i-2009-07-01-70019.113117_Cooper_right_to_file_lawsuit.html
In The Traverse City Record-Eagle: "Court: Ponzi victim waited too long to act."
"A local resident swindled by a woman behind a large 'Ponzi' scheme waited too long to take legal action against the con woman's former employer, an appeals court ruled. Meanwhile, a key player in the scam is out of prison after an appeals court ruled he complied with terms of a plea agreement that promised him a shortened sentence.... The Michigan Court of Appeals recently upheld a local ruling that statutes of limitations barred Akers' negligence, fraud and other claims."
http://www.record-eagle.com/local/local_story_183070620.html
In The Washtenaw County Legal News: "Justice Weaver reappointed to Task Force on Children's Justice."
"Michigan Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth A. Weaver of Glen Arbor has been reappointed to the Governor's Task Force on Children's Justice by Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm. Justice Weaver, whose 35 years as a judge include 12 years of service in probate and juvenile court, has chaired the task force since her appointment by former Gov. John Engler in 1991, when the task force was first established. She was reappointed by Gov. Granholm. The Task Force on Children's Justice is federally mandated and federally funded with over $500,000 per year. It is responsible for the review and evaluation of Michigan's investigative, administrative, and judicial handling of child abuse and neglect cases in Michigan."
http://www.legalnews.com/washtenaw/common/ShowFile.aspx?typ=editorial&FN=457261-1.html
See related press release: "JUSTICE ELIZABETH A. WEAVER REAPPOINTED TO GOVERNOR’S TASK FORCE ON CHILDREN’S JUSTICE; CHAIRED TASK FORCE SINCE 1991."
http://courts.michigan.gov/supremecourt/Press/JusticeWeaverTFOCJappt.pdf
Also in The Washtenaw County Legal News: "Michigan Supreme Court adopts new rules."
"The Michigan Supreme Court, at its administrative hearing on June 17th, adopted by a five to two vote, an addition of section (b) to the Michigan Rule of Evidence 611, 'Mode and Order of Interrogation and Presentation' stating that 'The court shall exercise reasonable control over the appearance of parties and witnesses so as to (1) ensure that the demeanor of such persons may be observed and assessed by the fact-finder, and (2) to ensure the accurate identification of such persons.' The proposal to amend the rule came about as a result of a case in which a district judge dismissed a plaintiff's case following her refusal to remover her hijab or face veil during testimony. The plaintiff later sued the judge in federal court claiming a civil rights violation. The matter is still pending before the U.S. Court of Appeals."
http://www.legalnews.com/Washtenaw/common/ShowFile.aspx?typ=editorial&FN=457258-1.html
Also in The Washtenaw County Legal News: "Chief judge in Jackson promotes specialty courts."
"Jackson County's Circuit Court Chief Judge Chad Schmucker is convinced of the importance of 'specialty courts' even though funding for the mental health court is under attack. 'There are concerns about ongoing funding for our mental health court and our two drug courts but the mission of those courts fits in with the goals of the state to have more community-based corrections programs and they are cost effective,' Schmucker said. 'And there is no question that specialty courts work.' "
http://www.legalnews.com/washtenaw/common/ShowFile.aspx?typ=editorial&FN=457260-1.html
July 1, 2009
In The Detroit Free Press: "No texting, Twittering, Googling for jurors in Michigan."
"The Michigan Supreme Court on Tuesday banned all electronic communications, including text messages and Twitter feeds, for jurors on duty. The order takes effect Sept. 1. It will, for the first time, require Michigan trial judges to instruct jurors not to use phones or any other electronic device while in trial or during deliberation. Outside the courtroom, the devices can be turned back on. But jurors are banned from receiving or sending information about the case, by any means, anywhere other than the courtroom, until the trial concludes."
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009907010335
Also see The Detroit News: "New rules to limit jurors' use of electronic devices."
http://detnews.com/article/20090630/METRO/906300423/1409/METRO
Also see The Associated Press: "Mich. Supreme Court adopts jury cell phone rule."
http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/michigan/index.ssf?/base/national-30/124640291526920.xml&storylist=newsmichigan
Also see the Lansing State Journal: "State Supreme Court adopts jury cell phone rule."
http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009906300358
Also see The Morning Sun/Mount Pleasant: "Jurors to be told not to use cell phones."
http://www.themorningsun.com/articles/2009/07/01/news/srv0000005733024.txt
Also see WILX-TV(10)/Lansing: "Jurors Warned Not to Use Cell Phones."
http://www.wilx.com/news/headlines/49559927.html
Also see WJRT-TV(12)/Flint: "JURIES-CELL PHONES: Mich. Supreme Court adopts jury cell phone rule." (second article)
http://abclocal.go.com/wjrt/story?section=news/state&id=6892928
In The Detroit News: "Court trims lawsuit filed by man cleared of rape."
"A suburban Detroit rape victim can't be sued by a man who served nearly 12 years in prison for the crime before being acquitted at a second trial. A federal appeals court says her statements to police were critical in the case against Jeffrey Moldowan. But the court noted Wednesday that her role was just part of a broader investigation. Moldowan's rape conviction in Macomb County was overturned in 2002 by the Michigan Supreme Court. He was acquitted at a second trial in 2003."
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/MI_RAPE_CASE_LAWSUIT_MIOL-?SITE=MIDTN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Also see The Detroit News: "Wrongfully convicted man can't sue accuser, court rules."
http://www.detnews.com/article/20090701/METRO/907010404/1361/Wrongfully-convicted-man-can-t-sue-accuser--court-rules
Also see The Associated Press: "Court trims lawsuit filed by man cleared of rape."
http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/michigan/index.ssf?/base/national-31/124646662731260.xml&storylist=newsmichigan
Also in The Detroit Free Press: "Wayne County cuts will sacrifice lawyers for young offenders."
Beth Arnovits writes "On May 27, 2009, a tersely worded letter from a Wayne County circuit judge to the president of the Legal Aid and Defender Association (LADA) gave notice that the contract under which the association provides public defense service to low-income children would be terminated on July 1. At a time when Michigan’s public defense delivery system is attracting national attention as one of the country’s very worst at protecting the constitutional right to counsel, the impending termination of the LADA contract is another sign of the ongoing deterioration of Michigan’s current public defense services in these tough economic times."
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200990630059
Also in The Detroit Free Press: "Top prosecutor sizes up parolees."
"Livingston County's top prosecutor isn't buying the contention from Michigan corrections officials that inmates recently granted parole are nonviolent. Since December, Prosecutor David Morse has received more than 100 Parole Board notices that parole has been granted to prisoners who committed a crime in Livingston County Not only is that an increase in the rate of paroles, he said, but many of the paroled prisoners have violent criminal histories including convictions for second-degree murders and assault with intent to commit great bodily harm."
http://www.freep.com/article/C6/20090701/NEWS01/907010310/-1/NEWS18/Top+prosecutor+sizes+up+parolees
Also see The Daily Press & Argus: "Top prosecutor sizes up parolees."
http://www.livingstondaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009907010310
Also in The Detroit Free Press: "Conyers takes to TV, apologizes to Detroit; She won't discuss case, but takes shot at ex-aide."
"Detroit City Councilwoman and admitted felon Monica Conyers went on television Tuesday to talk about council endorsements, hopes of staying out of jail and her plans to write a tell-all book. And toward the end of her hour-long live TV show, Conyers apologized."
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009907010310
Also see The Detroit Free Press: "Make integrity an essential test for public servants."
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009907010318
Also see The Detroit News: "Conyers speaks out on TV show; Councilwoman apologizes, regrets hiring former aide."
http://www.detnews.com/article/20090701/METRO/907010342
In The Associated Press: "Mich. soldier in Iraq to be sworn in as lawyer."
"A Michigan soldier serving in Iraq will be sworn in as a lawyer by video conference in Lansing. Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Marilyn Kelly will preside at the long-distance ceremony Thursday for Army Maj. Miles Gengler of Grand Blanc. Gengler passed the state bar exam in February after graduating from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School's Auburn Hills campus. He almost missed the exam because of his deployment but was able to delay his departure a bit to take the test.
http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/michigan/index.ssf?/base/national-30/124639881361990.xml&storylist=newsmichigan
Also see The Flint Journal: "Grand Blanc Township native and Army reservist to be sworn in as a lawyer while serving in Iraq."
http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2009/07/grand_blanc_township_native_an.html
Also see the Lansing State Journal: "Mich. soldier in Iraq to be sworn in as lawyer."
http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009906300357
Also see Thomas M. Cooley Law School: "Michigan Soldier in Iraq to be Sworn In as an Attorney Via Live Video Conference."
http://www.cooley.edu/newsevents/2009/063009_video_swear_in.html
Also see WILX-TV(10)/Lansing: "Soldier In Iraq Adds Esq. To His Name."
http://www.wilx.com/home/headlines/49536837.html
Also see WJRT-TV(12)/Flint: "LAW STUDENT-IRAQ: Mich. soldier in Iraq to be sworn in as lawyer." (ninth article)
http://abclocal.go.com/wjrt/story?section=news/state&id=6892928
Also see WEYI-TV(25)/Clio: "Mich. soldier in Iraq to be sworn in as lawyer."
http://www.connectmidmichigan.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=319487
Also see WNEM-TV(5)/Flint: "Soldier In Iraq To Be Sworn In As Lawyer; Grand Blanc Man Finished Bar Exam In February."
http://www.wnem.com/news/19912551/detail.html
See related press release: "MICHIGAN SOLDIER IN IRAQ TO BE SWORN IN AS AN ATTORNEY JULY 2 BY SUPREME COURT’S CHIEF JUSTICE KELLY VIA LIVE VIDEO CONFERENCE; Long-distance ceremony for Army Major Miles Gengler of Grand Blanc is cooperative effort of Thomas M. Cooley Law School, National Guard, and Michigan Supreme Court."
http://courts.michigan.gov/supremecourt/Press/MjrGengler.pdf
In The Daily Tribune/Royal Oak: "State must release information about prisoners up for parole."
The editorial states "Oakland County Prosecutor Jessica Cooper has filed a lawsuit against the Michigan Department of Corrections saying the state has not turned over information about prisoners being considered for release. Cooper says the department has refused her repeated requests for a list of inmates who will be interviewed by the parole board this year. The information is critical, and we support the prosecutor in this effort."
http://www.dailytribune.com/articles/2009/07/01/opinion/srv0000005723952.txt
Also see The Macomb Daily: "State must release information about prisoners up for parole."
http://www.macombdaily.com/articles/2009/07/01/opinion/srv0000005723005.txt
In The Detroit Legal News: "Dose of reality."
"... For several weeks in early June, a crew filmed [Assistant Genesee County prosecutor Jennifer] McKellar's every move, in and out of court, as she prepared for the trial, as she met with Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton to discuss case strategy, and as she paraded witnesses to the stand.... Leyton also conferred with Genesee Circuit Judge Richard Yuille, who would preside over the case. And determine the impact of it on the court, the judge, and potential jurors.... Having cameras in the courtrooms is nothing new in Genesee County. Other murder cases have been filmed either in part or in their entirety by NBC's 'Dateline,' the old 'Court TV' and others."
http://www.legalnews.com/detroit/common/ShowFile.aspx?typ=editorial&FN=451291-1.html
In The Flint-Genesee County Legal News: "Wayne Law Announces John A. Powell as Fall 2009 Damon J. Keith Distinguished Visiting Professor."
"Wayne State University Law School is pleased to announce the appointment of John A. Powell as the Law School's Fall 2009 Damon J. Keith Distinguished Visiting Professor. The position is named in honor of the esteemed jurist and legendary champion of civil rights Judge Damon J. Keith, a Senior Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Keith received his LL.M. from Wayne Law in 1956."
http://www.legalnews.com/flint/common/ShowFile.aspx?typ=editorial&FN=455258-1.html
In The Flint Journal: "Two men arrested after courtroom melee involving defendant, victim's father." (see three minute video clip)
"Alex W. Pace jumped a railing and punched defendant Juanell Darrough, his son's alleged killer."
http://videos.mlive.com/flintjournal/2009/06/two_men_arrested_after_courtro_1.html
Also in The Flint Journal: "Shiawassee County man denied from protesting taxation on county property."
"James Gould thinks taxes have gotten out of control, and he wants to spread the word. After being told he could not hold a Taxed Enough Already Party, or TEA Party, on the steps of the Shiawassee County Courthouse July 4, Gould contacted the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan, which came to his aid.... Gould is planning hold the party even though he's been told by county officials he's not allowed. The rally begins at 1 p.m."
http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2009/07/shiawassee_county_man_denied_f.html
In The Grand Rapids Legal News: "Michigan court rules amend Juvenile Court Standards."
"The Michigan Supreme Court (Marilyn Kelly, Chief Justice; Michael F. Cavanagh; Elizabeth A. Weaver; Maura D. Corrigan; Robert P. Young, Jr.; Stephen J. Markman; Diane M. Hathaway) has proposed as well as adopted several court rule changes as of May 19, 2009."
http://www.legalnews.com/GrandRapids/common/ShowFile.aspx?typ=editorial&FN=455671-1.html
In The Grand Rapids Press: "Editorial: Let states, judges decide punishment."
The editorial states "Congress should remove a provision buried deep in the massive Highway Bill that usurps states' rights and denies judicial discretion in drunken driving cases. The proposed legislation forces states to make all offenders use in-vehicle breathalyzers or lose a portion of their highway funding. Drunken drivers are a danger to anyone on or near the road. But states ought to legislate the range of effective punishments for their recklessness, that can lead so easily to tragedy. And judges should be allowed to make sure the punishment fits the crime and record."
http://www.mlive.com/opinion/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2009/06/editorial_let_states_judges_de.html
In The Kalamazoo Gazette: "JAMES, Judge Donald E."
"Died peacefully in his sleep Wednesday June 24, 2009. He was born in Kalamazoo on June 12, 1930 to Charles and Madge James. He graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School, Western Michigan University, and the University of Michigan Law School. He practiced law with Gerald McKessey until he was elected a district judge in 1974."
http://obits.mlive.com/obituaries/kalamazoo/obituary.aspx?n=donald-james&pid=128943543
Also in The Kalamazoo Gazette: "Western Michigan University student going back to jail for 'dumb crime.' "
"By his own admission, William Kimbrel Bradley isn't a very good criminal, racking up six felonies and four misdemeanors by age 25. He added to the list Monday when he was sentenced for larceny in a building. Bradley stole a computer. From the Kalamazoo County Jail. Where he was serving a sentence on a different case. 'This is the dumbest crime I've heard today,' Kalamazoo County Circuit Judge Gary C. Giguere Jr. told the Kalamazoo resident. 'It may be in the top half-dozen in my career. 'You need to get a handle on this theft thing. Your life of crime is not working out.' Bradley, a student at Western Michigan University, agreed."
http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2009/06/western_michigan_university_st_1.html
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