Daily Briefs

35th District Court closed after report of natural gas odor
PLYMOUTH, Mich. (AP) — A suspected natural gas leak closed the 35th District Court in Plymouth for the day on Thursday.
Arriving court employees were told to leave the three-story suburban Detroit court building about 7:45 a.m. Thursday after some workers reported smelling a natural gas odor.
No one was injured.

Detroit Institute of Art opening exhibition of Detroit photographs
DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Institute of Arts is preparing to open an exhibition of photographs of city landscapes, people and neighborhoods.
“Motor City Muse: Detroit Photographs, Then and Now” opens Friday, with an evening artists’ reception planned. It runs through June 16.
The exhibition looks at Detroit’s history, population and culture through the eyes of photographers from as early as 1947 to as recently as last year.
The exhibition is free with museum admission.

Lawsuit over birth at jail settled for $8M

DETROIT (AP) — Wayne County has agreed to an $8 million settlement in a lawsuit involving a 14-year-old girl who lacked critical oxygen when she was born in jail.
Chelsie Barker suffered brain damage and is severely impaired. The county is accused of violating the girl’s civil rights by not getting her mother to a hospital for the delivery.
Chantrienes Barker was in jail in 1998 when she went into labor. She was taken to a hospital but was returned to jail two hours later. The lawsuit says labor pains intensified but guards didn’t immediately respond, despite the screams of inmates.

Gov. Snyder signs 3 bills strengthening animal cruelty laws

 Gov. Rick Snyder has signed legislation to increase penalties for people associated with animal fighting and animal cruelty crimes.
 Senate Bill 356 allows for the seizure of homes and automobiles in cases involving animal fighting where the property either directly or materially contributed to the crime.
 S.B. 358 adds animal fighting, shooting and baiting to the list of racketeering crimes. The bill provides prosecutors with tools to stop animal fighting, making it punishable by law to conspire with, aid or intimidate anyone to commit an animal fighting crime for financial gain.
 House Bill 5789, sponsored by state Rep. Andrea LaFontaine, gives law enforcement the ability to shut down any venue found to be associated with animal fighting. The bill also allows for the removal and sale of any personal property found within the premises.
 The bills now are Public Acts 350-352 of 2012.

––––––––––––––––––––
Subscribe to the Legal News!
http://www.legalnews.com/Home/Subscription
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available