State Roundup

Petoskey Man dressed as Batman ordered not to wear costume PETOSKEY, Mich. (AP) -- A Michigan man who was arrested after being spotted atop a building while wearing a Batman costume won't be dressing up for a while. The Petoskey News-Review reports 32-year-old Mark Williams was sentenced Monday to six months of probation. During that time, a judge says he's not allowed to wear costumes -- including the Batman one he was wearing when Petoskey police picked him up in May. The Harbor Springs man earlier pleaded guilty to attempted resisting/obstructing an officer. Williams said he was inspired by others who dress as super heroes to prevent crime and reach out to the homeless. Officers in Petoskey, about 225 miles northwest of Detroit, also confiscated a baton-like weapon and a can of chemical irritant spray. Williams says he didn't intend to use them. Bellaire Former foster parent sentenced in sex case BELLAIRE, Mich. (AP) -- A former northern Lower Peninsula foster parent who was convicted of sexually assaulting children in his care has been sentenced to at least 25 years in prison. The Traverse City Record-Eagle reports 70-year-old Jere Clark, who was a foster parent for four decades, was sentenced Monday. The Antrim County man maintains his innocence and declined to speak at the sentencing. Prosecutors charged Clark in March after a teen said he sexually assaulted her over a five year span that began in 2004. Clark faced additional charges in May after a woman told sheriff's deputies he sexually assaulted her over a seven-year span that began in 1996. He was convicted earlier this month of charges including first-degree criminal sexual conduct. Mount Pleasant Police: Would-be good Samaritan hits man with car MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (AP) -- Police say a would-be good Samaritan who apparently stopped to help a group of pedestrians in Mount Pleasant ended up hitting one of them with his car after his assistance was unwanted. The Morning Sun reports the man was hit Saturday shortly after Central Michigan University's football game against Eastern Michigan University ended. Police say the pedestrians were trying to get a 19-year-old friend under control and the would-be good Samaritan apparently approached to lend assistance. When the man redirected his anger at the motorist, police say the motorist drove away and hit the man. Police were called. The driver turned himself in but wasn't arrested. Prosecutors were expected to review the case for possible charges. Bloomfield Hills 5 arrested for refusing to leave Republican office BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. (AP) -- Five people have been arrested for refusing to leave a Republican Party office in suburban Detroit during a protest. The Detroit News reports about 100 people turned out for the demonstration Monday in Bloomfield Hills, saying they were angry with Republican opposition to President Barack Obama's jobs plan. A Detroit pastor, the Rev. Charles Williams, says the GOP is "playing games." Local Republican Party official Dennis Pittman says the protesters caused no damage. He says everyone wants jobs but the protests are the wrong way to go. The event and others across the state and country follow Occupy Wall Street protests in New York. About 200 people have been at Detroit's Grand Circus Park since the weekend. Muskegon Judge: End 1 marriage, then we'll sentence you MUSKEGON, Mich. (AP) -- The sentencing for a western Michigan man who pleaded guilty to polygamy has been delayed a week because he failed to show evidence he had divorced one of two wives. The Muskegon Chronicle reports that 35-year-old Richard Barton's $3,000 bond was revoked Monday and he was placed in the Muskegon County Jail. The Walker man pleaded guilty in June, admitting he married a woman in July 2010 in Muskegon while still married to a Rhode Island woman he wed in 2004. Barton said in court that both marriages had ended as far as he knew. The judge asked what court annulled the marriage and he said he didn't know. The judge originally delayed the sentencing by four months to give Barton a chance to end one of his marriages. Published: Wed, Oct 19, 2011