Daily Briefs

Not all Mich. stabbing cases may go to trial 

FLINT, Mich. (AP) — A prosecutor handling charges from a 2010 stabbing spree in the Flint area says he’ll talk to victims and relatives about offering plea deals to close the remaining cases.
Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton says he needs to balance their feelings with the costs of taking eight more cases to trial. Elias Abuelazam was sentenced to life in prison without parole Monday, a month after being convicted in the first murder trial.
 
“We’ve secured his conviction and a sentence of life without parole. ... I have to balance their feelings with my fiduciary duties to the county,” Leyton told The Associated Press, referring to the cost of so many trials.
 
Abuelazam still faces two murder trials and six attempted murder trials. He’s also charged with attempted murder in Toledo, Ohio.
 
It’s not known if the 35-year-old Abuelazam is even interested in settling the remaining cases. The next court hearing won’t occur until near Labor Day.
 
Holiday Hours
The Third Circuit Court Civil, Criminal and Family Divisions will be closed July 4 in observance of Independence Day.
 
The Wayne County Probate Court will be closed in observance of Independence Day on Wednesday, July 4 and will reopen on Tuesday, July 5 at 8 a.m.
 
In observance of Independence Day, the 36th District Court will be closed to the public on Wednesday, July 4. Only criminal arraignments will be conducted. 
 
Lawyer appointed to Grosse Pointe DDA
Wendolyn W. Richards, a senior attorney in Miller Canfield’s Litigation and Trial Group in the Detroit office, has been appointed to the City of Grosse Pointe Downtown Development Authority (DDA). Her term will expire September 2013.
 
The City of Grosse Pointe DDA helps to promote future development in the Village shopping district and to provide a mechanism to fund public improvements that will support the vitality of the city’s central business district.
 
At Miller Canfield, Richards specializes in intellectual property, contract disputes and general complex commercial litigation.  She has worked on numerous multimillion-dollar actions involving trade secrets, securities, consumer protection and fraud issues. 
 
She is a member of the Greening of Detroit, Policy and Advocacy Committee, Detroit Institute of Arts Founders' Junior Council, Michigan Venture Capital Association, and the Detroit Athletic Club.
 
She received her J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law and her B.A. from the University of Michigan.
 
Halloran re-election committee to hold fundraiser June 28
The Committee to Re-elect Judge Richard Halloran will hold a fundraiser to support Judge Halloran’s re-election efforts.
 
The fundraiser will be held Thursday, June 28 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Antonio’s Cucina Italiana, 37646 West 12 Mile Road in Farmington Hills.
 
Members of the Fundraising Committee have planned a gala event for both evenings. Tickets good for either event may be obtained by contacting Re-election Committee Treasurer, Margo Tobin at (313) 961-6700, or any of the Re-election Committee members. If any attorney would like to become a part of the Re-election Committee they should also contact Ms. Tobin.

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